Workers in Region 1 are pushing for a salary increase as the Regional Tripartite Wages Productivity Board (RTWPB) examines the possibility of a wage hike in light of increasing living costs.

Earlier, a P35 wage increase was implemented for private sector workers in the National Capital Region (NCR).

Now, workers in Region 1 are questioning whether a similar wage hike is feasible given the rising prices of goods.

Rodela Polic, a 42-year-old waitress in Dagupan City who has worked in the restaurant industry for over two decades, said a salary increase is helpful as prices of commodities have soared. 

“Maganda kapag tataasan kasi, siyempre, wala na rin mabili ngayon sa taas ng bilihin lahat. Sana kung may pantaas, taasan kahit konti lang para mabili namin [mga pangangailangan, at] medyo makaipon din kahit konti," Polic said.

Employers, on their part, assure compliance to wage adjustments, including the provision of benefits such as SSS, PhilHealth, and Pag-IBIG Fund membership. 

"Pero baka mahirapan din kami na employer parang mahirap din kami itaas din yung service sa mga customers... kung kayang ibigay, ibibigay," Alma Gao, an employer, said.

According to Ezekiel Ronie Guzman, Regional Director of RTWPB-1, the Wage Board is studying various indicators such as price indexes, inflation rates, and the purchasing power of the peso. These will guide their decision-making process on whether to approve a new wage order for Region 1.

The last wage adjustment was issued in November 2024.

"Every month, we monitor itong logistical indicators natin [that is] being generated by [the] Philippine Statistics Authority," Guzman said.

Guzman said thorough study and consultations will precede any decision regarding the wage increase, to make sure that it considers both the needs of workers and the economic feasibility for employers in the region.