Wage hike pushed despite oil rollback

CEBU, Philippines - Despite the continued decline in the prices of fuel, wage hike petitioners will not withdraw their petition, contending that fuel price is not the only consideration on why they seek to increase the worker’s wages.

Jose Tomongha, one of the labor representatives to the Regional Tripartite Wage and Productivity Board (RTWPB) said it is not only the price of oil but other factors like Consumer Price Index, inflation rate and the prices of basic commodities which has increased.

Tomongha, who is also the chairman of the Alliance of Progressive Labor, said that all these factors are the basis to declare supervening conditions.

Tomongha added that despite the continued reduction in fuel prices, prices in Cebu is much higher compared to the provinces of Siquijor and Negros Oriental.

The wageboard is set to conduct public consultation in Cebu on June 27.

Meanwhile, senatorial wannabe and Valenzuela City Mayor Sherwin “Win” Gatchalian urged the legislative and executive branch of government to continue the discussion about the Oil Deregulation Law despite the series of rollbacks of oil prices in the country.

Gatchalian, also the vice president of League of Cities of the Philippines, called on the officials of local government units to participate in the discussion.

Gatchalian said while the oil industry cannot be regulated as mandated by the Oil Deregulation Law, the government has also lost control of the industry when it sold its stake with Petron.

He said the oil industry is a very important industry for every Filipino especially to the poor as its total privatization has had great impact on the poor.

Gatchalian added that the national government should not have lost its control over the oil industry.  (FREEMAN)