Wage hike still possible as regional boards proceed with review—DOLE
By Trixee Rosel
At A Glance
- Minimum wage adjustments remain possible through ongoing assessments by regional wage boards, even after Congress adjourned without passing the proposed legislated increase, the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) said.
Minimum wage adjustments remain possible through ongoing assessments by regional wage boards, even after Congress adjourned without passing the proposed legislated increase, the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) said.
DOLE Undersecretary Benjo Benavidez said the Regional Tripartite Wage and Productivity Boards (RTWPBs) are holding consultations and hearings nationwide.
“In fact, in the National Capital Region, the process is already underway, and we are hopeful that another round of assessment will determine whether a minimum wage increase is necessary and, if so, by how much,” Benavidez said.
He acknowledged that Congress failed to ratify the proposed legislated wage hike before its sine die adjournment but noted that similar measures have been refiled in previous sessions.
Benavidez stressed that DOLE remains ready to support the legislative process by providing technical inputs to help shape responsive wage-related legislation.
“We respect the legislative process and will continue to take part in it. As part of the executive branch, we can offer our views and technical inputs to help ensure that proposed measures are crafted more effectively,” he said.
As wage deliberations continue, DOLE is also ramping up efforts to boost employment generation through nationwide job fairs.
On June 12, the agency organized 49 job fairs across the country in line with the celebration of the 126th Independence Day, offering over 150,000 job opportunities for both local and overseas employment.
Benavidez said personnel from the Public Employment Service Office (PESO) assessed applicants upon registration and referred them to at least five companies matching their qualifications.
“To increase the probability of them getting hired,” he added, noting that around 15 percent of applicants were typically hired on the spot, while others were classified as near-hires pending final interviews or submission of requirements.
DOLE emphasized that regular job fairs not only connect jobseekers with potential employers but also contribute to reducing unemployment and encouraging business growth.
“We are striving to encourage more businesses to open and more investors to expand their operations so they can generate more employment opportunities—better jobs with better pay,” Benavidez said.