MANAGEMENT, WORKER REPRESENTATIVES PARTICIPATE IN BATANGAS WAGE ORIENTATION

22 October 2024

With the aim of informing management and worker representatives in the province of Batangas, the Regional Tripartite Wages and Productivity Board (RTWPB) IV-A conducted a wage orientation held at the OCVAS Compound, Bolbok, Batangas City, on October 22.

Participants from both the management and labor sectors attended the wage orientation at the OCVAS, Batangas City. (Photo by April Magpantay)

In her opening remarks Director Predelma M. Tan of the Batangas Provincial Office, emphasized the essence of the activity especially empowering compliance with the new set of wage rates.

Ms. Predelma M. Tan, Batangas Provincial Director, graced the event and expressed her appreciation for the time and effort of the participants in attending the activity. (Photo by April Magpantay)

During the orientation, Atty. Ariel Rio Soriano, Board Secretary of the RTWPB IV-A, enlightened the participants on the newly-promulgated Wage Order No. IV-A.

In the discussion proper, Atty. Soriano emphasized the changes to the area nomenclature in identifying the applicable wage rates. Moreover, he also provided a quick background as to the rationale of the Wage Rationalization Act as well as the process prior to the issuance of the new wage order which includes wage consultations and public hearings.

Consequently, Mr. Gener Rivera, Labor and Employment Officer III of the RTWPB also shed light on wage distortion and addressed frequently asked questions about the implementation of the new wage order.

As to exemption, Mr. Rivera delved into the two qualified reasons as provided under the Omnibus Rules on Minimum Wage Determination as mended.

Atty. Soriano of the RTWPB IV-A spearheaded the discussion on the salient features of Wage Order No. IV-A - 21. (Photo by April Magpantay)

Ms. Charisse Velasco, a Human Resource Department Manager of a private company expressed her appreciation for the initiative of the Department of Labor and Employment in spearheading an information drive to help them grasp the important features of the order.

“This training, really helps the management team to understand na we need to provide din naman ‘yung, especially with the minimum wage earner, na ibigay ‘yung increase,” she remarked.

Based on the new wage order, the first tranche of the wage increase already took effect last September 30, 2024, while the second tranche will commence on April 1, 2025.

Meanwhile, aside from the management and labor sector representatives, the officers of the Batangas Province Tripartite Industrial Peace Council (BPTIPC) and labor inspectors of DOLE BPO participated in the said activity.