Cordillera workers get P8 wage hike

By Charlie Lagasca

Workers in the Cordillera Administrative Region were finally granted a P8 increase in their daily minimum wage. 

Under the new wage order, workers in the non-agriculture sector in the provinces of Kalinga, Ifugao, Mt. Province, Apayao and Abra will now receive a daily wage of P237 plus P26 cost of living allowance (COLA).

For agriculture sector workers in these provinces, their employers are mandated to pay them a minimum daily wage of P224 and P22 COLA.  

In the retail and services sector, those employing at least 10 workers will pay P237 with P26 COLA, and those with less than 10 workers, P217 and P22 COLA.

In Baguio City and the adjoining Benguet towns of La Trinidad, Tuba, Itogon, and Sablan, non-agriculture workers will get a daily pay of P243 and P37 COLA, and for agriculture sector workers, P230 and P32 COLA. 

In the retail and services sector in these areas, employers with at least 10 workers are required to give a daily wage of P243 with P37 COLA, and those with 10 workers or less, P223 with P37 COLA.

Minimum wage earners in other parts of Benguet will get an increase similar to that in the other Cordillera provinces, reports said.