The Regional Tripartite Wages and Productivity Board-VII (RTWPB-VII) served as one of the resource speakers during the 2nd Quarterly Meeting of the Regional Tripartite Industrial Peace Council (RTIPC) Region VII on April 23, 2026, which convened key representatives from labor sector, employer organizations, and government agencies to discuss strategies for sustaining industrial peace in Central Visayas. 

The assembly, held in Cebu City, featured a dedicated learning session on the wage-setting process, with particular focus on National Wages and Productivity Commission (NWPC) Guidelines No. 03 – Series of 2020 or the Omnibus Rules on Minimum Wage Determination. 

During the session, RTWPB-VII provided a technical discussion on the procedural requirements for the review or adjustment of minimum wage rates, especially in cases where wage review may be considered before the standard 12-month prohibition period elapses, or cases where there is an urgent and reasonable ground to proceed with the process of minimum wage setting. 

RTWPB-VII emphasized its mandate to conduct comprehensive consultations and impact assessments involving both labor and management sectors to balance the needs of the workforce while ensuring the sustainability of micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs). 

Representatives from various labor groups and employer associations participated in an open forum, exchanging perspectives on the practical applications of the guidelines. 

“Our goal is to ensure that when we talk about wage determination, we are operating from a place of shared knowledge and evidence,” said DOLE VII Regional Director and RTWPB-VII Chairperson Atty. Roy L. Buenafe, who was represented by DOLE VII Mediation-Arbitration and Legal Service OIC-Unit Head, Atty. Arnie June Ducante. 

The meeting concluded with an agreement to enhance data-sharing initiatives among council members. By closely monitoring key local economic indicators—such as fuel prices, food inflation, and regional productivity levels—the RTIPC aims to support RTWPB-VII with timely and data-driven inputs. (Atty. Jess Russell F. Jumalon)