The Regional Tripartite Wages and Productivity Board-III (RTWPB-III) convened two virtual sector- specific consultations with employers’ organizations, associations, and business chambers in the morning, and with labor-intensive industries in the afternoon on 17 September 2026 via Zoom teleconferencing.

RTWPB-III Chairperson Atty. Sarah Buena S. Mirasol emphasized the need for these consultations as an integral part of the minimum wage-fixing process, reflecting the board’s commitment to tripartism, social dialogue, transparency, and evidence-based decision-making.

“We recognize that the issue before us is not simply a matter of numbers. For our workers, the minimum wage represents the capacity to provide food, education, transportation, housing, healthcare, and other basic needs for their families. For employers, wages are closely connected with operating costs, productivity, competitiveness, and the capacity to preserve and create jobs. It is precisely because both concerns are important that we must have this consultation,” she said.

In both sessions, representatives from the management sector underscored the struggles in maintaining business operations, as increases in operational costs, labor costs, competition, etc., are aggravated by global and national disruptions caused by international conflicts and localized calamities, respectively.

Although the collective stance acknowledged the plight of workers, entrepreneurs—especially MSMEs—asked for a one year respite from wage increases to be given time to recover from their losses, prevent further retrenchment, and find ways to make their businesses productive and sustainable.

Generally, stakeholders called for measured, evidence-based, sustainable, and predictable wage policies that reflect regional economic performance.

“Not for or against, but we would like to say it should be a phased approach. The increase, whether in Central Luzon or in other parts of the country, must be adopted in such a manner that the adjustments are gradual and aligned with the economic performance of a particular region,” Atty. Lilibeth Carao of the People Management Association of the Philippines remarked.

Data gathered during these two online consultations, along with others, are expected to better supplement the data gathered in this year’s wage review process in Central Luzon, with the first two face-to-face sector-specific wage consultations comprised of MSMEs in Nueva Ecija on 24 August 2026 and the Regional Tripartite Industrial Peace Council (RTIPC) and the Association of Paralegals of Region 3 (PAR 3) on 26 August 2026.

Ultimately, RTWPB-III calls for the active participation of its stakeholders by conducting a series of consultations and public hearings for social dialogue and commitment to tripartism, an objective and data-driven wage-setting process, and encouraging them to send their position papers and recommendations for the board to weigh and consider. (Kiara Francesca Songsong)