Palace backs DOLE review of minimum wages

MANILA – Malacañang is supporting Labor Secretary Silvestre Bello III’s order to review minimum wages across the country as oil prices continue to increase amid ongoing conflict between Russia and Ukraine.

Communications Secretary Martin Andanar, also acting presidential spokesperson, made this remark after Bello directed Regional Tripartite Wages and Productivity Boards (RTWPBs) across the country to review minimum wages and submit their recommendations by April or May.

“Nagpahayag na rin si Labor Secretary Bebot Bello ng kaniyang suhestiyon diyan sa pag-increase ng minimum wage at siya naman ay sang-ayon dito (Labor Secretary Bebot Bello has given his suggestion on the proposal to increase minimum wage and he supports it). So I will take it from the Labor Secretary na kung iyon ang kaniyang (if that is his) policy,” Andanar said in an interview over DZBB.

He said since Bello is the “alter ego of the President”, he would make decisions and implement policies that would benefit the country and Filipinos.

“‘Di ba iyong veinte mil mo, ano na lang ang magagawa sa veinte mil ‘di ba or sampung libo, kinse mil. So kailangan talagang dagdagan (What can you do with PHP20,000 or PHP10,000 or PHP15,000. We need to raise wages)” he added.

On Wednesday, Bello said the PHP537 minimum wage for National Capital Region (NCR) is too low.

“The PHP537 daily minimum wage (NCR) we have a slight problem because of the skyrocketing prices, that is why you can hear drivers, operators asking for (fare) increase,” he said in a statement.

Bello said the fuel price hikes which have been worsened by the ongoing conflict between Russia and Ukraine may be a “compelling ground for the wage boards to recommend adjustments in the minimum wages of workers.”

“Hopefully before the end of April or May, they already have recommendations. We also need to be careful on wage adjustment to strike a balance between the need of workers and the existence of the employer,” Bello said.

RTWPBs nationwide are in charge of receiving petitions for minimum wage increases in their respective areas.