The Regional Tripartite Wages and Productivity Board (RTWPB) in Central Visayas has approved the daily minimum wage adjustment worth P33 and P43 to workers in the private sector depending on the category.

Based on Wage Order Number ROVII-25, the minimum wage rate increases to P501 from P468 after an additional P33 under Class A category or places under expanded Metro Cebu.

In the agriculture and non-agriculture sector with lesser than 10 employees, the hike in basic pay is at P43, or from P458 to P501.

For Class B category, the wage is raised from P430 to P463. In the agriculture and non-agriculture establishments with less than 10 employees, the hike is from P425 to P463, or an increase of P38 per day.

As for Class C category, the new minimum wage rate is P453 from P420, or an increase of P33. For the agriculture and non- agriculture establishments with less than 10 workers, the daily wage at P415 is raised to P453.

The increase will take effect on October 2, 2024.

According to Teresita Cariaga, a minimum wage earner  who has three children, the P33 increase is a measly sum. She said that the amount is not enough to match the ever-rising costs of basic goods and fare, but is "better than nothing at all."

Meanwhile, RTWPB in Central Luzon region led a public hearing on the minimum wage adjustment in the region.

Employees and representatives of the employer sector from various industries attended the hearing, along with various government offices and line agencies.

The public hearing presented data on the new minimum wage rates. The wage deliberation is set on September 19, 2024, while the wage board is set to release a decision by October 17, 2024.

To recall, President Ferdinand Marcos, Jr. ordered the Regional Wage Boards to study the minimum wage vis-a-vis the inflation rate in the country.

“With our gratitude to your participation is an assurance that we take into consideration not only the empirical studies but also your sentiments and of course whatever are the important data which we should always look into…,” Department of Labor and Employment Central Luzon Director Geraldine Panlilio said.

(With reports from Gab Rutao/GMA Regional TV One North Central Luzon)