March 29, 2024

By June 14, workers in the private sector in the Cordillera will receive P30 or P40 more in their minimum wages following the issuance of Wage Order 21 by the Regional Tripartite Wages and Productivity Board last May 24.

The wage increase will come in two tranches – the first tranche will take effect on June 14 and the second tranche on Jan. 1, 2023. 

Minimum wage earners in Baguio; La Trinidad, Benguet; and Tabuk City, Kalinga will receive an additional P30.

An increase of P40 for other areas in the region has also been granted making the new minimum basic wage for all areas in the region at P380 daily.

The current minimum wage for Baguio, La Trinidad, and Tabuk City is P350 daily, and P340 daily in Bangued, Abra; Bontoc and Sagada, Mountain Province; Lagawe, Ifugao; Buguias, Itogon, Mankayan, Tuba, and Tublay all in Benguet; and other areas in the region. 

For the second tranche which will take effect on Jan. 1, 2023, a P20 increase has also been granted making the minimum wage next year at P400 daily in all areas in the region.

The RTWPB said the minimum wage rates apply to all minimum wage earners regardless of position, designation or status and regardless of the method by which their wages are paid.

The RTWPB also increased the minimum wage of domestic workers in the region.

For chartered cities and first class municipalities, P500 in their minimum wage has been added.

For other municipalities, an additional P1,500, making the new wages for domestic workers at P4,500 monthly.

The last wage hike in the Cordillera was in 2019. – Rimaliza A. Opiña