Minimum wage earners in Cordillera will enjoy higher pay as the Regional Tripartite Wages and Productivity Board (RTWPB) approved a wage increase effective November 18, 2019.

From P305 to P320, the daily minimum wage in Baguio City, La Trinidad, and Tabuk City has been raised to P350.

Other areas in the region will receive a P340 daily minimum wage compared to the previous P300 to P315.

The wage hike applies to all minimum wage earners in the Cordillera Administrative Region (CAR) regardless of their position, designation or status in the private sector.

Persons employed in the personal service of another such as drivers, domestic workers, and workers in the registered Barangay Micro Business Enterprises are not included because they are covered by different laws.

Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) Regional Director Exequiel Ronnie Guzman said the new minimum wage rate was based on the region’s poverty threshold.

“'Yung minimum wage na tatanggapin ng isang manggagawa nang sa ganun ay ensured naman siya na 'yung kanyang basic na pangangailangan ng family of 5 where two are employed ay maibibigay sa kanila," Guzman explained.

Upon its effectivity, DOLE will conduct inspection in establishment to make sure that the new wage order is being implemented.