CAVITE Vice Gov. Jolo Revilla talks with Workers Representative Patrocinio Caisp during the public hearing on the increase in wages of workers in Calabarzon at the Sangguniang Panlalawigan ng Cavite Session Hall. Photo by Dennis Abrina
Jolo leads hearing on Calabarzon wage hike petition
TRECE MARTIRES CITY, Cavite – A public hearing was conducted on the possible minimum wage increase for Calabarzon (Cavite, Laguna, Batangas, Rizal, Quezon) workers Monday, May 16, led by the Regional Tripartite Wages and Productivity Board (RTWPB) at the session hall of the Sangguniang Panlalawigan ng Cavite Legislative Building.
The public hearing was attended by the Chairman of RTWPB IV-A and Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) IV-A Regional Director Director Ezekiel Ronie de Guzman, outgoing Cavite Vice Governor and 1st District Congressman-elect Ramon “Jolo” Revilla III, representatives of labor groups and laborers along with workers in factories in Cavite province, and representatives from the companies’ management.
It will be recalled that the province of Cavite filed a Provincial Resolution led by Vice Gov. Revilla last year to push the wage increase for Caviteños, and in April this year, a successful public consultation was held throughout the region.
“It has been four years since the last increase in [workers’ wages] in Cavite. It is time to raise it now, especially since the price of commodities has been rising relentlessly due to the rise in oil prices. Recently [they] raised the wages of workers in NCR [National Capital Region], so we call on Cavite to raise wages the same as in NCR,” said Vice Gov. Revilla.
“If we look at the distance between Cavite towns and cities in NCR, Bacoor is less than 6KM away, Imus is 10KM away, and Kawit is 13KM away. So it is only appropriate to equalize wages in neighboring areas of NCR …because the price of goods in NCR, [is also the same] in Cavite,” Revilla added.
“If the same recognition is given to the condition of workers and companies and cannot afford to pay wages as in NCR, my proposal is to add P125 to the daily wage to increase [it ]from P373 to P498 – the acceptable salary of Caviteño workers,” Revilla pointed out.
According to the DOLE IV-A Regional Director, it is not necessary to exceed 30 days after the public hearing, with a result that the wages of workers in Calabarzon will be increased.
“My view is positive that we can raise the wages of workers not only in Cavite but in the entire [Calabarzon] region,” the DOLE IV-A Regional Director said.
It is expected that before Vice Gov. Revilla leaves his position in the Provincial Capitol in June, the petition to raise the workers’ wages of Caviteños will push through or be approved. By Dennis Abrina
