Pay integration of P38.50 COLA plus new P9 COLA endorsed

By DING CERVANTES - The Philippine Star

SAN FERNANDO, Pampanga – The Central Luzon office of the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) forwarded Wednesday to the National Wages and Productivity Commission (NWPC) a proposal to integrate P38.50 in cost of living allowance (COLA) into the basic pay of daily wage earners in the region, and the granting of a new P9 COLA on top of this.

DOLE regional director Nathaniel Lacambra told The STAR that the “net monetary effect” of the COLA integration and the new P9 COLA would translate to an additional P14 in the daily minimum wage of Central Luzon workers.

“This is because the increase in their basic pay arising from the integration of P38.50 COLA would also lead to an increase in their overtime pay, holiday pay, night shift differential, 13th month pay, and other such benefits,” he said.

Lacambra said members of the regional tripartite wage and productivity board signed the new wage and COLA rates last Monday.

At present, he said Central Luzon workers get a daily minimum wage of P236 to P287. The last minimum wage increase of P25 was granted in August last year.

The new wage rate, however, does not apply to Aurora where the standard of living is not as high as in Pampanga, Bulacan, Nueva Ecija, Tarlac, Zambales, and Bataan, Lacambra said.