CALABARZON — The purchasing power of the current ₱600 daily minimum wage in CALABARZON is estimated at only ₱444 due to inflation and rising prices of basic goods and services.
The issue was raised during public consultations conducted by the Regional Tripartite Wages and Productivity Board IV-A (RTWPB IV-A), attended by more than 500 representatives from labor, employers, management, and domestic workers in Calamba City, Laguna, and Lipa City, Batangas.
Labor representatives said current wages are no longer enough to keep pace with rising living costs. Some labor groups proposed a ₱666 daily minimum wage, while the management sector expressed concerns over higher business costs and suggested a ₱2,000 monthly wage subsidy as an alternative form of worker support.
Minimum wages in CALABARZON currently range from ₱508 to ₱600 per day, depending on the sector and wage classification. The region covers Cavite, Laguna, Batangas, Rizal, and Quezon.
The RTWPB IV-A continues its consultations with various sectors before issuing a recommendation on a possible wage adjustment. #
