Palace leaves P334 wage hike to regional boards

“So the Palace will respect whatever the decision of the wage board is,” he added. (File Photo: Office of the Presidential Spokesperson/Facebook)

MANILA – Malacañang said Tuesday it will leave to the regional wage boards the petition for wage increases, including the PHP334 hike in Metro Manila.

“You know, our wage board and this wage board will determine after accepting evidence on both sides, whether or not there is a need for an increase,” Presidential Spokesperson Salvador Panelo said in a Palace press briefing.

“So the Palace will respect whatever the decision of the wage board is,” he added.

The labor groups headed by the Associated Labor Unions – Trade Union Congress of the Philippines (ALU-TUCP), are reportedly asking for a PHP334 wage increase in the National Capital Region (NCR) amid the rising inflation rate.

The approval of a PHP1 fare hike for jeepneys and buses has also prompted the labor groups to push for their wage hike petition.

The NCR’s Regional Tripartite Wages and Productivity Board is set to meet on Oct. 22 to determine the wage increase for workers.