NWPC hikes kasambahay minimum wage in Cordillera, Ilocos, W. Visayas

The National Wages and Productivity Commission (NWPC) has approved an increase in the minimum wage of kasambahays, or household helpers, in the the Cordillera, Ilocos, and Western Visayas regions starting May.

For the Cordillera Autonomous Region (CAR), the NWPC has approved to hike the minimum wage by P1,000 in cities and first-class municipalities, and by P500 in areas elsewhere.

This would mean that househelp members in Baguio City and La Trinidad would now have a minimum wage of P4,000 by next month, versus the current rate of P3,000.

Meanwhile, the NWPC approved to hike the minimum wage for household members in Region 1 (Ilocos) by P1,000 and for those in Region 6 (Western Visayas) by P500.

"Ang reason natin why we are setting the minimum wage, so that you know, the workers, 'yung mga kasambahay, hindi na bababa pa du'n 'yung ibibigay sa kanila so this is really a form of social protection," NWPC Executive Director Criselda Sy said in a report on GMA's "24 Oras Weekend" on Sunday.

According to Sy, the NWPC could conduct a review of the current minimum wage via motu proprio, or if they receive a petition from concerned parties.

"Usually, kung walang nagfa-file ng petition, motu proprio nagde-decide 'yung Board na i-review 'yung wage order," she said. — Jon Viktor D. Cabuenas/BM, GMA News