DASMARIÑAS, Cavite — A Cavite lawmaker is pushing for a minimum wage hike in the Calabarzon region, citing the need to address the rising cost of living and ensure fair compensation for workers.
Rep. Jolo Revilla, who represents the 1st district of Cavite, attended a public consultation on the matter on Aug. 8, organized by the Regional Tripartite Wages and Productivity Board (RTWPB) and the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) in Region IV-A.
The consultation, which was the first of its kind, aimed to gather input from both the management and labor sectors on the proposed wage hike. Revilla pointed out that the current minimum wage in the region is not enough to cover the basic needs of workers, particularly with the rising prices of goods and services.
According to the RTWPB, the minimum wage in the region ranges from 385 to 479 pesos per day for agricultural workers, 385 to 520 pesos for non-agricultural workers, and 385 pesos for workers in service and retail establishments with fewer than 10 employees.
Revilla, who has been a strong advocate for workers’ rights, noted that he has successfully pushed for six wage increases in the region since 2018, when he was vice governor of Cavite. He also sponsored the latest wage order, which took effect on Sept. 24, 2023.
The lawmaker expressed optimism that the minimum wage in Calabarzon can be increased, citing the example of Metro Manila, where the minimum wage is higher. “If we can do it in Metro Manila, I believe we can also do it in Calabarzon,” he said.
Revilla has also filed a bill in the House of Representatives, known as the Daily Across-the-Board Wage Increase Act, which seeks to provide a 150-peso daily wage increase for private sector workers nationwide.
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