BACOLOD CITY—Wages of workers in Western Visayas have been increased by P11.50 which militant groups said is barely enough for a decent meal but which a wage board official said was the result of a “balancing act.”
The increase is lower than that given workers in Metro Manila (P15) early this month and Central Visayas (P13) last year.
Observers said the amount is not even enough for a decent meal in a roadside eatery.
But Ponciano Ligutom, Department of Labor and Employment director for Western Visayas, said the wage board decided on the amount on the basis of three factors—workers’ needs, employers’ capacity to pay and whether increasing wages would affect the region’s competitiveness.
“It was a balancing act,” said Ligutom, who also chairs the Western Visayas wage board.
Daily wage in Western Visayas is now P298.50 from P287 for workers in nonagriculture, industrial and commercial establishments with more than 10 workers.
Workers in establishments with fewer than 10 workers will get a daily wage of P256.50 from P245.
Daily wage in the agriculture sector would increase to P266.50 from P255 in plantation companies and P256.50 from P245 in nonplantation companies.
Labor officials in the region hope to implement the wage adjustment before May 1, Labor Day.
But Wennie Sancho, labor representative in the wage board, refused to sign the wage order as a sign of protest.
Sancho said the wage order “is a document of oppression because it perpetuates the poverty of people.”
“It is not even enough to buy a small bottle of mineral water,” he said.
Militant labor groups had been demanding a P135 across the board increase in daily wages, saying current wage levels have failed to catch up with rising prices of basic commodities.
But efforts to pressure Congress to legislate a wage increase have failed, largely because of opposition from legislators who own businesses themselves that would be affected by any wage increase.
Even moderate labor groups, like the Trade Union Congress of the Philippines (TUCP), decried the P15 wage increase given workers in Metro Manila.
TUCP, in a previous statement reported by Inquirer, said the wage increase was just an insult to workers. - Carla P. Gomez, Inquirer Visayas
Saturday, March 28, 2015
Thursday, March 26, 2015
House okays National Mangrove Forests Conservation and Rehabilitation Act
The House of Representatives has approved on second reading a measure that provides for the conservation, reforestation, and rehabilitation of mangrove forests in the Philippines.
House Bill 5609 prohibits the cutting, uprooting or destroying of any mangrove tree, dumping of waste within mangrove reservation areas, construction or reclamation activity within mangrove reservation areas, or any other acts that will result in the damage or destruction of mangrove forests.
Violators shall be fined with not less than P200,000 but not more than P1 million, or with imprisonment for not less than six months but not more than six years, or both, and may also require to restore or compensate for the restoration of the damage, as determined by the court.
The bill substituted House Bills 460, 3525, and 4206 authored by Reps. Agapito Guanlao (Party List, BUTIL), Regina Reyes (Lone District, Marinduque) and Susan Yap (2nd District, Tarlac), respectively.
"The measure seeks to improve our marine ecosystems, ensure the food security of our people, preserve our biodiversity and prevent the extinction of various mangrove species, thus reduce disaster risks making our people resilient to the impacts of climate change, storm surges and tsunamis," Yap said.
Citing a report of Global Forest Watch, Yap, chairperson of the House special committee on reforestation, said the world lost 192,000 hectares of mangroves from 2001 to 2012, a total loss of 1.38 percent since 2000 or 0.13 percent annually. She also cited an assessment conducted by the International Union for Conservation of Nature stating that more than one in six mangrove species are at risk of becoming extinct.
She said the bill is very timely because mangroves can contribute to climate change mitigation due to their enormous carbon-storage potential, which is said to be higher than ordinary trees. "An Earth Watch study reported that a hectare of mangroves can sequester 1.36 tons of carbon in a year which is equal to the emissions of six cars per year," Yap said.
Yap said the country's experience with Typhoon Yolanda highlighted the important role that mangroves play as natural bio-shields for vulnerable coastal communities. "Mangrove forests provide protection against storm surges as well as tsunamis. A mangrove stand of 30 trees per 0.01 hectare with a depth of 100 meters can reduce the destructive force of a tidal wave by up to 90 percent," Yap said.
According to Yap, the allocation for mangrove rehabilitation under the National Greening Program has been increased from P347 to P1 billion in the aftermath of Typhoon Yolanda.
"However, the National Greening Program is ending in 2016, and without sufficient funding, all our efforts to rehabilitate the mangrove forests in the country cannot be sustained beyond 2016," Yap said.
The measure shall establish and set aside all coastal areas in each municipality portions of land solely for the conservation, protection, reforestation and rehabilitation of mangrove forests.
Under the measure, the local government units (LGU's), together with the Provincial Environment and Natural Resources Office (PENRO) and the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR) local office, where the mangrove areas will be located, shall take the lead in the identification, survey, zonification and mapping of all mangrove areas, segregating areas that are still forested, severely denuded or degraded including abandoned, undeveloped and underutilized fishponds.
All natural stands of mangrove forests and regenerating abandoned ponds shall automatically form part of the reservation areas.
Attached to the DENR, a National Steering Committee for the Conservation and Rehabilitation of Mangrove Forests (NSCCRMF) shall be established, to review existing policies and conduct studies on mangrove forest and its conservation, among its powers and functions.
A National Mangrove Forests Conservation and Rehabilitation Plan (NMFCRP) shall be formulated by the National Steering Committee (NSC) which contain an inventory of the status of all mangrove forests all over the country, fishponds, identification of mangrove reservation areas for each province, city and municipality, and operational plan for rehabilitation, among others.
The measure shall also establish a Local Steering Committee for the Conservation of Mangrove Forests (LSCCRMF), with Local Mangrove Forests Conservation and Rehabilitation Plan, as well.
In order to secure the mangrove reservation area from illegal and destructive activities, the Local Steering Committee (LSC) and the LGU shall employ the services of forest guards or LGU's deputize members of people's organizations as mangrove reservation area forest guards who shall be tasked with the responsibility to guard and police the areas.
The DENR shall formulate and institute appropriate mechanisms for proper valuation and fair and comprehensive pricing of ecosystems services provided by mangrove forests, which shall be the basis of the Local Steering Committee for charging on the use of the ecosystem services such as eco-tourism, permits for fishing boats, docking fees and carbon trading.
Created Special Account for Mangrove Management and Mangrove Conservation and Rehabilitation Fund shall be managed by the National Steering Committee (NSC) and its disbursement shall be made solely for the protection, maintenance, administration, and management of mangrove forest areas, operational expenses of the NSC, and for the expenses on the preparation of the National Mangrove Forests Conservation and Rehabilitation Plan (NMFCRP), duly approved projects endorsed by the NSC.
Other co-authors are Reps. Aleta Suarez (3rd District, Quezon), Deogracias Ramos, Jr. (2nd District, Sorsogon), Gary Alejano (Party List, MAGDALO), Joseph Stephen Paduano (Party List, ABANG LINGKOD), Maria Valentina Plaza (1st District, Agusan Del Sur), Victor Yu (1st District, Zamboanga Del Sur), Xavier Jesus Romualdo (Lone District, Camiguin) Raymond Democrito Mendoza (Party List, TUCP) and Mylene Garcia- Albano (2nd District, Davao City). - By: Jazmin S. Camero, Media Relations Service-PRIB
Wednesday, March 25, 2015
High prices a concern of nearly one-half of Filipinos, poll says
NEARLY ONE-HALF of Filipinos expressed concerns about rising prices, a Pulse Asia survey released on Tuesday said.
Forty-six percent of Filipinos said inflation was their utmost worry, 44% expressed concerns about increasing workers’ salaries, while 40% placed importance on fighting graft and corruption.
The poll was participated in by 1,200 Filipinos and conducted March 1 to 7, more than a week before a P15 wage hike was approved by the National Capital Region’s Regional Tripartite Wages and Productivity Board (RTWPB).
The survey was also conducted more than a week before the Senate proceedings on allegations that Vice-President Jejomar C. Binay received P651 million from an anomalous deal between the Boy Scouts of the Philippines and real estate giant Alpha Land Corp.
“A second set of urgent national concerns include poverty reduction (37%) and job creation (34%) while a third cluster is comprised of criminality (22%), peace (22%), and rule of law (19%),” said a statement that was accompanied by survey results.
Meanwhile, public approval on government measures to control inflation rose five points to 29% in March from the previous rating of 24% in November. Similarly, public approval on increasing workers’ pay went up one point from 32% in November to 33% in March.
Public approval on government measures in addressing poverty and job creation remain unchanged during the two comparative periods.
Public approval on fighting graft and corruption went down by three points to 42% in March from 45% in November. Ratings on the government’s anti-criminality campaign also slid by two points to 45% from 47%.
For his part, Communications Secretary Herminio B. Coloma said that the latest performance ratings “do not significantly differ” from the previous survey conducted, but promised to act on the areas where government action is perceived to be lacking.
“In the next 15 months, the administration will intensify efforts at job creation while maintaining fiscal discipline in order to rein in inflation. Good governance is imperative in achieving inclusive growth,” Mr. Coloma said in an issued statement.
Meanwhile, the Trade Union Congress of the Philippines (TUCP) said that the government should have focused on core issues raised in the survey instead of spending its time, energy and political capital on other least priorities of the Filipino people.
“These concerns were not satisfactorily addressed by the Aquino administration. Poverty remains widespread and the situation is worsening. Salary and wages are stagnant and cannot sustain a family. Quality jobs are rare and dwindling,” TUCP Spokesman Alan A. Tanjusay said.
“There is no real inclusive growth because wages are low and quality employment are simply not there.” -- Alden M. Monzon / BusinessWorld
 |
| Laborers work on a new building in Manila in this photo taken in January 2014. Forty-six percent of Filipinos are concerned about rising prices while 44% said they also consider raising workers’ salaries as important, a Pulse Asia survey said. -- AFP |
Forty-six percent of Filipinos said inflation was their utmost worry, 44% expressed concerns about increasing workers’ salaries, while 40% placed importance on fighting graft and corruption.
The poll was participated in by 1,200 Filipinos and conducted March 1 to 7, more than a week before a P15 wage hike was approved by the National Capital Region’s Regional Tripartite Wages and Productivity Board (RTWPB).
The survey was also conducted more than a week before the Senate proceedings on allegations that Vice-President Jejomar C. Binay received P651 million from an anomalous deal between the Boy Scouts of the Philippines and real estate giant Alpha Land Corp.
“A second set of urgent national concerns include poverty reduction (37%) and job creation (34%) while a third cluster is comprised of criminality (22%), peace (22%), and rule of law (19%),” said a statement that was accompanied by survey results.
Meanwhile, public approval on government measures to control inflation rose five points to 29% in March from the previous rating of 24% in November. Similarly, public approval on increasing workers’ pay went up one point from 32% in November to 33% in March.
Public approval on government measures in addressing poverty and job creation remain unchanged during the two comparative periods.
Public approval on fighting graft and corruption went down by three points to 42% in March from 45% in November. Ratings on the government’s anti-criminality campaign also slid by two points to 45% from 47%.
For his part, Communications Secretary Herminio B. Coloma said that the latest performance ratings “do not significantly differ” from the previous survey conducted, but promised to act on the areas where government action is perceived to be lacking.
“In the next 15 months, the administration will intensify efforts at job creation while maintaining fiscal discipline in order to rein in inflation. Good governance is imperative in achieving inclusive growth,” Mr. Coloma said in an issued statement.
Meanwhile, the Trade Union Congress of the Philippines (TUCP) said that the government should have focused on core issues raised in the survey instead of spending its time, energy and political capital on other least priorities of the Filipino people.
“These concerns were not satisfactorily addressed by the Aquino administration. Poverty remains widespread and the situation is worsening. Salary and wages are stagnant and cannot sustain a family. Quality jobs are rare and dwindling,” TUCP Spokesman Alan A. Tanjusay said.
“There is no real inclusive growth because wages are low and quality employment are simply not there.” -- Alden M. Monzon / BusinessWorld
Sunday, March 22, 2015
Gov’t justifies P15 wage hike for MM workers
MANILA, Philippines - Malacañang justified yesterday the P15 increase in the minimum wage rate for workers in Metro Manila, saying all factors were considered before a decision was made.
Various labor groups strongly criticized the increase as being too meager.
“While it is ideal to give the highest wage possible, it may have an adverse impact on the economy if employers cannot pay the increase. It may lead to the closure of businesses or laying off workers, which we do not want,” deputy presidential spokesperson Abigail Valte said.
“The policy is to grant regular, moderate and predictable adjustments that takes into account the needs of the workers but maintains the stability of business environments,” she added.
The increase will bring the daily minimum wage rate from P477.03 to P492.57.
Labor Secretary Rosalinda Baldoz said the pay increase, the 19th since the Wage Rationalization Act became law on June 9, 1989, would directly benefit 587,000 minimum wage earners.
“Traditionally, if you look at the positions of labor groups vis-à-vis employers groups when it comes to a wage hike, they’ve never been on the same plane or at least on the same level. The job of the wage board is to determine what can be given that will also not be detrimental to employers,” Valte said.
The Trade Union Congress of the Philippines (TUCP), the country’s largest labor group and one of those hitting the increase, said the government-approved wage hike was revolting.
“Rather than closing the gap between rich and poor, government officials in the wage board have further widened the gaping inequality amongst Filipinos – between a few elite and a famished majority who live to survive by the day,” TUCP spokesman Alan Tanjusay said. - By Aurea Calica (The Philippine Star)
Various labor groups strongly criticized the increase as being too meager.
“While it is ideal to give the highest wage possible, it may have an adverse impact on the economy if employers cannot pay the increase. It may lead to the closure of businesses or laying off workers, which we do not want,” deputy presidential spokesperson Abigail Valte said.
“The policy is to grant regular, moderate and predictable adjustments that takes into account the needs of the workers but maintains the stability of business environments,” she added.
The increase will bring the daily minimum wage rate from P477.03 to P492.57.
Labor Secretary Rosalinda Baldoz said the pay increase, the 19th since the Wage Rationalization Act became law on June 9, 1989, would directly benefit 587,000 minimum wage earners.
“Traditionally, if you look at the positions of labor groups vis-à-vis employers groups when it comes to a wage hike, they’ve never been on the same plane or at least on the same level. The job of the wage board is to determine what can be given that will also not be detrimental to employers,” Valte said.
The Trade Union Congress of the Philippines (TUCP), the country’s largest labor group and one of those hitting the increase, said the government-approved wage hike was revolting.
“Rather than closing the gap between rich and poor, government officials in the wage board have further widened the gaping inequality amongst Filipinos – between a few elite and a famished majority who live to survive by the day,” TUCP spokesman Alan Tanjusay said. - By Aurea Calica (The Philippine Star)
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)