Pursuant to its mandate, the Regional Tripartite Wages and Productivity Board-I (RTWPB-I) held a comprehensive labor consultation on 21 May 2026, to discuss the condition of workers amid the ongoing energy crisis. The activity was conducted as a hybrid event, bringing together various labor sector stakeholders and workers’ representatives both face-to-face and virtually via Zoom.

During the consultation, Department of Labor and Employment Region I Chairperson Exequiel Ronie Guzman highlighted the importance of the consultation, linking the activity directly to the economic pressures felt across the region.

“This event has something to do with wages in connection with the on-going global crisis. Ang pagtaas ng langis na yan ay itinaas din ang presyo ng pamasahe, LPG, rent, at pangunahing bilihin, serbisyo, kuryente, health care services. Ano ang epekto nito sa karaniwang manggagawa at lahat tayo? Yung kinikita natin, hindi na sapat. Kaya ito po ang dahilan kaya nandito kami ngayon.” Chairperson Guzman stated.

To provide context for the discussions and reflect the region’s current realities, Ms. Sarah Marie Michelle Villamil, Senior Labor and Employment Officer, discussed the data for the socioeconomic conditions of the region.

Following the data presentation, the secretariat gathered direct insights on the current living conditions of workers through a series of interactive questions. This real-time feedback allowed both in-person and virtual participants to share the immediate economic challenges they face.

However, the Board emphasized that the insights collected from the labor sector represent just one part of a balanced evaluation. As reiterated by Chairperson Guzman, “Kami, nandito para pakinggan namin kayo. Ang binigay po ninyong impormasyon ay aming lilikumin at pag-aralan. Sa hanay ng namumuhunan ay magka-conduct din ng ganitong consultation para mabalanse natin.” The data gathered from this hybrid consultation will serve as reference information for the Board’s continuing review and evaluation of possible wage adjustments. (Judi Khenn C. Faustino-Mojica)