news September 20158 news bulletinNWPCNWPCVolume 19 Number 9 September

The Offi cial Newsletter of the National Wages and Productivity Commission

www.nwpc.dole.gov.ph

Summary of Minimum Wage Ratesas of September 2015

Region’s Wage OrderHighest

Minimum wage

Effectivity date

Wage Order No. RB NCR-19 P481.00 April 4, 2015Wage Order No. RB CAR-17 P285.00 June 29, 2015

Wage Order No. RB I-17 P253.00 July 19, 2015Wage Order No. RB II-16 P255.00 January 5, 2014Wage Order No. RB III-18 P349.00 November 30, 2014

Wage Order No. RB IVA-16 P362.50 May 1, 2014Wage Order No. RB IVB-07 P280.00 July 3, 2015Wage Order No. RB V-16 P260.00 January 10, 2014Wage Order No. RB VI-22 P298.50 May 2, 2015

Wage Order No. RB VII-18A P340.00 December 14, 2014Wage Order No. RB VIII-18 P260.00 March 30, 2015Wage Order No. RB IX-I8 P280.00 June 10, 2013Wage Order No. RB X-18 P318.00 July 3, 2015Wage Order No. RB XI-18 P317.00 June 1, 2014Wage Order No. RB XII-18 P275.00 August 1, 2014Wage Order No. RXIII-13 P268.00 February 14, 2015

Wage Order No. ARMM-15 P250.00 February 1, 2014

2015 Productivity Olympics2015 Productivity Olympics

National JudgingNational Judging

11 Associations Att end Last Batch of Productivity Enhancement for DILEEP Benefi ciaries

Maria Viviera R. Magno, RTWPB II

The selec on of the 2015 Produc vity Olympics na onal winners was done last 09 September 2015 at the Berjaya Hotel in Maka City.

Deputy Execu ve Director Patricia P. Hornilla gave the par cipants an overview of the criteria and mechanics, while Execu ve Director Maria Criselda R. Sy had the honor of introducing Secretary of Labor and Employment, Hon. Rosalinda Dimapilis-Baldoz to deliver her Opening Message to the members of the NJPs.

Secretary Rosalinda Dimapilis-Baldoz, expressed her eagerness to listen to

the produc vity journeys of the 26 na onal fi nalists.

The Na onal Judging Panels (NJP), which are tripar te in composi on, screened 26 na onal fi nalists vying for the recogni on of having the best Produc vity Improvement Program in agribusiness, industry and service sector.

The Produc vity Olympics is a biennial na onal compe on of the best produc vity improvement prac ces among micro, small and medium sized enterprises (MSMEs). The culmina ng ac vity is the awarding ceremo-nies scheduled on 15 October 2015.

Eleven livelihood associations from the provinces of Cagayan and Isabela attended the Productivity Enhancement for the Depart-ment of Labor and Employment’s Integrated Livelihood Emergency Employment Program (DILEEP) on August 28, 2015 at Villa Blanca Hotel, Tuguegarao City. The participants were taught 5S of Good Housekeeping, Stock Control, Records Keeping and Business Ethics. In turn, each of the 11 associations craft-ed an action plan for productivity improvement.

Atty. Sixto T. Rodriguez, Jr., DOLE Regional Director and Chair of the RTWPB-II said, “We value and support your role in poverty alleviation and employment generation in your community.” He continued that the

productivity enhancement training will equip them to be productive enterprises. Meanwhile, management representatives, Dr. Cecilia M. Dy and Ms. Araceli L. Dulin shared their business insights to the par-ticipants.

Previously, two (2) batches of productivity enhancement program were conducted. The fi rst was on May 26, 2015 in Alicia, Isabela attended by 19 associations and the second was a fi rm-level training on July 29, 2015 in Buguey, Cagayan.

NWPC BULLETIN

Editor-in-Chief

Managing EditorJem Samonte

Lourdes M. Secillano

Jerome P. Lucas

PhotographerRomy O. Paleza

Executive Director Maria Criselda R. Sy

Deputy Executive DirectorsPatricia P. HornillaJeanette T. Damo

Directors Elvira P. Jota

Atty. Welma T. SicangcoAtty. Jamie-Lyn Jamias-Garcia

Editorial Board

newsSeptember 2015news September 20152 7

Area-Based Consultation on Minimum Wage FixingFranz Allan A. Visitacion, WPRD-NWPC

Higher Minimum Wage for Workers in Metro Cebu and Sugar Mill Workers RTWPB-VII approved a Php 13.00 mini-mum wage increase for all private workers in Metro Cebu and a Php10.00 minimum wage increase for sugar mill workers. This brings the daily mini-mum wage in non-agriculture in Metro Cebu to Php353.00 and for sugar mill workers to Php320.00.

Non Agriculture AgricultureNon-Sugar Sugar

New Basic Wage (P)

New Basic Wage (P)

New Basic Wage (P)

Class A 353.00 335.00 303.00Cities of Carcar, Cebu, Danao, Lapulapu, Mandaue, Naga, Talisay and Municipalities of Compostela, Consolacion, Cordova, Liloan, Minglanilla, San Fernando, or Metro Cebu

Class B 320.00* 305.00 290.00Cities of Toledo, Bogo, and the rest of Mu-nicipalities in Cebu Province except except Bantayan and Camotes Islands

Class C 310.00 290.00 290.00City of Tagbilaran and Municipalities in Bohol Province

Class D 295.00 275.00 290.00Municipalities in Siquijor Province & Munici-palities in Bantayan and Camotes Islands

*Under the new wage structure, sugar mill workers are classifi ed under Class B, Non-Agriculture with a daily minimum wage rate of P320.00 a day upon eff ectivity of this Wage Order.

Ms. Terence Joy O. Amores, Labor and Employment Officer I of the Review, Appeals and Legal Division and Ms. Misfah Lyn L. Tingson, Administrative Assistant I of the Policy and Research Service were sworn in last 04 September 2015. They took their oath of office before Executive Director Maria Criselda R. Sy.

NWPC welcomes newly appointed employees

For the rest of the cities/municipalities and provinces of the region, the Board decided to maintain its existing minimum wage. The new Wage Order does not allow exemption. The new minimum wage rates in the region are as follows:

The NWPC, in its continuing efforts to improve the implemen-tation of its wage policies, held ar-ea-based consultations last 02-03 September 2015 at the Ritz Hotel in Davao City for the Visayas and Mindanao Boards and last 14-15 September 2015 at the Armada Hotel for the Luzon Boards.

Visayas-Mindanao Consultation

The two-day session with the management and labor sector representatives aimed at surfacing policy and operational issues in the implementation of the Two Tiered Wage System (TTWS).Executive Director Maria Criselda R. Sy, in her message, underscored the purpose of the consultation. She explained that it is incumbent upon the Commission to conduct the activity to improve the imple-mentation of programs and poli-cies to better serve the public.

Deputy Executive Director Patricia P. Hornilla provided an overview of the program. Mr. Dennis Arroyo, presented the law and practice of minimum wage setting in the Philippines. He provided a brief history of minimum wage fixing in the Philippines and the secto-

ral views on the mini-mum wage policy and the two-tiered wage system.

The presentations and the open forum fo-cused on the issues and challenges with minimum wage fixing before the im-plementation of two-tiered wage system, assessment of the implementation of the wage reform, and recommendations to im-prove Tier 1 and Tier 2.

The insights and in-puts derived from the con-sultation will guide and inform recommendations to improve the minimum wage policy in the Philip-pines and address issues that hinder its effective implementation.

newsSeptember 2015news September 20156 3

RTWPB - II joined the DOLE-Regional Offi ce and the Occupa onal Safety and Health Center in a convergence ini a ve to conduct Basic Occupa onal Safety and Health (BOSH) Training on August 10-15, 2015 in Bayombong, Nueva Vizcaya.

Ms. Heidelwina M. Tarrosa, Supervising LEO, discussed the 5S Program on the fi rst day of the training to some 60 par cipants mostly represen ng mining fi rms. Tarrosa explained that 5S is a basic systema zed approach for a clean, orderly and safe workplace. “It should be prac ced by fi rms aiming for safety and health standards”, she con nued. The BOSH training aims to equip employers and workers alike with proper knowledge and skills on safety and health.

RB 2 Tackles Good Housekeeping in a DOLE Convergence ActivityMaria Viviera R. Magno, RTWPB II

Tier 2 Advocacy Expands to other SectorsMaria Viviera R. Magno, RTWPB II

The Regional Tripartite Wages and Productivity Board II (RTWPB) conducted advocacy initiatives for Tier 2 or the productivity-based pay (PBP) scheme to the workers and employers in manufacturing and hotel industries.

These were conducted during the fi rm-level convergence initiative of the RTWPB and National Conciliation and Mediation Board (NCMB) at a sugar milling corporation and during the regular monitoring of the post SQ training action plan.

Crea on of Negros Island Region (NIR) and the Implementa on of Tier 2Nesa S. Nolido, Board Secretary, RTWPB VI

Execu ve Order 183 signed by President Benigno S. Aquino III, created the Negros Island Region, composed of the provinces of Negros Occidental and Negros Oriental. Negros Occi-dental with one highly urbanized city and 12 cit-ies will no longer be part of the Region VI, whose coverage is now confi ned to the islands of

Panay, with its four provinces: Iloilo, Capiz, Aklan, An que, and the island-province of Guimaras.

With these developments, the cover-age of the Advisory for Produc vity-Based pay Scheme for the Sugar Industry will also be re-

turn to page 4

Samar DILEEP Benefi ciaries TrainedFlorencio G. Aguilos Jr., RTWPB VIII

“We have been given what we need by DOLE to ensure our future by way of providing us liveli-hood assistance and so we should sustain them.” This was the common sentiment of the participants to the “Productivity Enhancement Program for DOLE Livelihood Beneficiaries” held recently in Catbalogan City, Samar.

The seminar was attended by some 80 individual and group beneficiaries of the DILEEP from five (5) DOLE registered livelihood associations where they trained on basic business tools such as stock con-trol, basic good housekeeping, basic business ethics and productivity concepts.

In their post-training action plan, Catbalogan-Malirong-Mercedes Driver Operators Consumers Cooperative (CATMAMEDOCC) President Manuel Manicani emphasized the need for their group to come up with a written policy on the use of their association’s store room as well as internal policies for their office. These will guide their members and improve their inventory system for the maintenance of their motor vehicles.

He added that “members who encounter breakdowns will also be readily provided spare parts and given emergency repairs especially at times when their members are short of funds.”

On the other hand, participants from the Catbalogan Ambulant Vendors Association (CAVA) also expressed hopes that they will finally be given space in the Catbalogan City Public Market so that its mem-bers will no longer sell their wares in the streets of the city.

CAVA President Leandro Sapetin said their action plan bared the need for their association mem-bers to undergo further training to improve their business practices. He added that he will ask his mem-bers to be conscious in the daily monitoring of their finances through the preparation of a Cash-In-Cash-Out system and the monitoring of their stocks through a Stock Control System.

The Board will “help you grow your busi-nesses by building your capacities in the proper ap-plication of productivity concepts and tools”, said RTWPB VIII Board Secretary Florencio Aguilos to the DILEEP beneficiaries of five (5) DOLE regis-tered Livelihood Associations in Samar.

Participants to the “Productivity Enhancement Program for DOLE Livelihood Beneficiaries” in Catbalogan City, Samar shared their hopes of making their small business enterprises grow in the next five years.

featureSeptember 2015feature September 20154 5

RTWPB VI Participates in Cause-Oriented Activities

duced as, eight (8) of the eleven (11) District Tripar te Councils (DTC) are located in Negros Occidental. A DTC covers a milling district, with membership composed of planters associa- on, haciendas and workers associa on. Five (5) refi neries and two (2) bio-ethanol plants

are also located in Negros. Region VI will now have three (3) milling districts - two (2) in Panay and one (1) in Capiz.

The separa on of Negros Occidental from Region VI brings with it challenges for the sugarcane industry considering that Panay is the major source of sugarcane migratory work-ers during the harvest season.

Creation of Negros .... from page 6

RTWPB VII staff sends TLC to mother earth

Heavy rains and fl oods would have been enough reasons to say NO but instead, the entire RTWPB VII staff gladly marked September 5, 2015 as an opportunity to send some tender loving care (TLC) to Mother Earth.

In response to the invitation of the Tripartite Industrial Council of Mandaue (TIPC Mandaue City), nine (9) personnel of RTWPB-VII braved the cold morning rains and trooped to Luyang, Carmen and planted mangroves.

Aside from the TIPC Mandaue Board of Trustees and RTWPB VII staff , personnel from the Department Labor VII (DOLE) and the National Conciliation and Mediation Council VII (NCMB) also participated in the event. Through their eff orts, a total of 5,000 mangrove seedlings were planted, ensuring future additional resting place, breeding ground and nurseries for fi shes and crustaceans.

RTWPB VI and other DOLE - Regional Coordinating Council (RCC) member- agencies had been instrumental in organizing cause-oriented activities for the community and the environment. These activities included the ZUMBA para sa Batang Manggagawa and Mangrove Planting Activity and the celebration of the 78th Charter Day of Iloilo City.

The Zumba para sa Batang Manggagawa was a health and wellness activity, benefiting 200 former child laborers in 9 barangays from several towns of Iloilo. In coordination with the maritime manning agencies in Iloilo City, 200 sets of school supplies and backpacks were distributed to the children accompanied by World Vision representatives and their barangay captains. The proceeds from the dance exercise will be used for Project Angel Tree in celebration of the DOLE anniversary.

On environment protection, the Secretariat participated in a mangrove planting activity at the Katunggan Park, Bgy. Nabitasan, Leganes, Iloilo. At least ten (10) mangrove seedlings were planted by each participant. Mayor Jaen expressed his appreciation for the support extended by the different organizations. He said these efforts would not only mitigate the impact of storm surges, but will also boost eco-tourism in the region.

PQPM – VISAYAS, Inc. receives recognition from CSC

by the Civil Service Commission (CSC).

The Certifi cate, which was awarded last Sep-tember 8, 2015 on the occasion of CSC’s 115th found-ing anniversary, recognized PQPM -Visayas for its un-faltering support to the Commission’s programs and projects as demonstrated by its active membership to the Regional Advisory Council (RAC). PQPM Vice-President Teodoro Valentin Segura received the Cer-tifi cate in behalf of the organization.

RTWPB VII acts as Secretariat of PQPM-Visa-yas, an organization aimed at promoting productivity and quality. Regional Heads of government agencies like the Department of Labor (DOLE), Department of Science and Technology (DOST), National Economic and Development Authority (NEDA), Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) and the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA) are trus-tees of the organization.

During its regular board meeting last September 15, 2015, Philippine Quality and Productivity Movement – Visayas, Inc (PQPM – Visayas, Inc.) President Ren-ato B. Solis turned over to RTWPB VII Board Secretary Grace G. Carreon, the Certifi cate of Recognition issued