Wage increase under review – Palace

MANILA, Philippines —  Malacañang is leaving it up to the regional wage boards to review workers’ salaries amid calls for a legislated wage hike because of rising transport costs.

The Trade Union Congress of the Philippines  urged Marcos to certify as urgent the P200 legislated wage hike, citing higher fares for train, jeepney, and buses.

According to the group, workers will face triple transport fare increases yet the proposed wage hike is “being dribbled by the government until kingdom come.”

TUCP president Raymond Mendoza said Congress wants to tackle the wage measure in June when there are only six days remaining to pass the needed bill.

Asked to react to the TUCP statement, Presidential Communications Undersecretary Claire Castro said Marcos has instructed the regional wage boards to review the workers’ pay.

“At present, a review is being conducted in 16 regions. There are regions that have increased wages,” Castro said.

The minimum fare for the Light Rail Transit Line-1 increased from P15 to P20 yesterday. The maximum fare for a single-journey ticket went up from P45 to P55.

The Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board is set to rule on pending petitions for a P2 provisional increase in jeepney fares, along with a P2 fare hike for both city and provincial buses, according to the labor group.

Bayan Muna party-list Rep. Carlos Isagani Zarate slammed the administration for proceeding with the LRT-1 fare hike. – Jose Rodel Clapano