Public hearings slated for COLA proposal

CEBU, Philippines - The Regional Tripartite Wage and Productivity Board-7 has scheduled two public hearings on the proposal to include a P13 per day Cost of Living Allowance in the basic pay of workers.

Jose Tomongha, one of the labor representatives to the board, the first hearing is scheduled on October 13, 2014 in Bohol while the second one is scheduled on October 14, 2014 in Cebu City.

On October 15, the issue will be subjected for deliberation before the National Wage and Productivity Commission. Six days later on October 21, 2014, the seven members of the board will hold a final deliberation on the matter in Cebu.

Tomongha said they want the proposal approved before December this year.

“Amoa  gyud paninguhaon nga ma-approve ni sa dili pa muabot ang Disyembre para maapil ni ang COLA sa 13th month pay sa atong mga workers,” Tomongha said.

Tomongha, also the chairman of the Alliance of Progressive Labor-Central Visayas, said he and lawyer Ernesto Carreon, another labor sector representative to the wage board,  will continue to push for the inclusion of other areas that can receive the P13 per day COLA once they will come up with the amended order of Wage Order VII-18.

Wage Order VII-18 (Providing for Cost of Living Allowance for Private Sector Workers in Central Visayas) stipulates that there shall be no increase in the minimum wage rates due to two major calamities in the areas of Bogo City and in the towns of San Remigio, Medellin, Tabuelan, Tabogon, Tuburan, Daanbantayan, Sogod, Borbon, Camotes Island and Bantayan Island, as well as in Bohol province.

Bohol was devastated severely by the 7.2-magnitude earthquake last October 15, 2013 while these places in northern Cebu places were hit severely by super typhoon Yolanda on November 8, 2013.

The wage order granting the P13 per day COLA to minimum wage earners in Central Visayas took effect last March 21, 2014 and is subject for review six months after implementation.  (FREEMAN)