BAGUIO CITY — The Regional Tripartite Wages and Productivity Board–Cordillera Administrative Region (RTWPB-CAR), in partnership with the Department of Labor and Employment–Cordillera Administrative Region (DOLE-CAR), conducted a two-day wage consultation on 24–25 September 2026 with members of the Industrial Tripartite Council (ITC) for the Construction and Mining Industry and the Regional Tripartite Industrial Peace Council (RTIPC), which represents other industries in the region. 

Held at Lafayette Luxury Suites in Baguio City, the consultation was integrated into the regular quarterly meetings of the ITCs and RTIPC, providing the Board with an opportunity to gather the views and inputs of both the employees’ and employers’ sectors on minimum wage adjustment. 

Majority of the representatives from the construction and mining industry expressed support for a wage adjustment, proposing figures ranging from P75.00 to P200.00.  

Many participants noted that their own employees already earn above the minimum wage and receive additional benefits, including housing, HMO or insurance coverage, extra leave privileges, and education subsidies for employees’ families. Even so, they voiced concern for workers elsewhere in the sector who remain at minimum wage while facing hazardous work and difficult conditions. 

Representatives from other industries under the RTIPC proposed a comparatively modest range of P30.00 to P55.00, describing the figure as reasonable for both employers and employees.  

This group weighed the needs of workers amid current socio-economic conditions against employers’ capacity to pay, noting that most establishments in the region are micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs).  

Participants also pointed out that, beyond mandatory benefits, employers already provide food and transportation allowances, additional leave, insurance, and other incentives — both to reward productivity and to help employees cope with the burden of inflation. (Albert M. Palma)