BAGUIO CITY — Employee representatives from private businesses, domestic workers, local cooperatives, universities, employees’ associations/unions, and barangay focal gathered at the Department of Labor and Employment – Cordillera Administrative Region (DOLE-CAR) Building in Cabinet Hill on 17 September 2026 to share their views on the possible minimum wage adjustment in the Cordillera Administrative Region. 

Led by Regional Director Jesus Elpidio B. Atal Jr., alongside members of the wage board, the joint session focused on hearing the sentiments of the employees’ sector on whether there is a need for wage adjustment in the region. 

Ranging from Php 10.00 to Php 100.00, various sectors from private establishments presented their proposed amount of adjustments and justified the same. Among the reasons cited by the participants are the inflation rate, the transportation costs, and the cost of living in the Region, specifically in Baguio City. 

Barangay focal, on the other hand, proposed before the wage board an increase of Php 400.00 per month for the domestic workers, who are also facing challenges whether they are stay-in or stay-out. 

Alongside the wage discussions, Dennis Garret R. Lee of the Employees’ Compensation Commission (ECC- CAR) presented an orientation on the Employees’ Compensation Program. The briefing highlighted social security protections, rehabilitation benefits, and financial assistance available to workers in the event of work-related injury, sickness, or disability. 

The consultations offer a direct line for labor and management to present ground-level perspectives as the regional board evaluates potential updates to current wage rates for both private sector employees and domestic workers. (Albert M. Palma)