In a press statement, Imson said the RTWPB will  study the basis of the petitions articulated and submitted in the public hearing held the other day before it makes the decision.

“I assure the public that there will be a decision in a month’s time, as required by law. The decision will be published,’’ Imson said.

He explained that under the law, any wage hike decision becomes effective 15 days after publication of the order together with its implementing rules and regulations.

In yesterday’s public hearing, Imson said, the petitioners reiterated their demand for the restoration of their lost purchasing power an a just share in the economic growth of the region.

They cited that with NCR’s GDP growth of 4.1 percent, equivalent to a GDP of R300 billion, workers deserve to share in this growth.

On the other hand, RTWPB chair Ciriaco Lagunzad,  also the DOLENCR regional director, said the board will make as basis of its decision the economic needs of  workers, the capacity of the employers to pay a wage increase, the development requirements of the region, and the wage structure  in the area.

“We will take all these factors into account to make a balanced and rational decision,’’ Lagunzad said.

The public hearing, held at the Women Center of the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA), was an offshoot of the May 13 and 20 wage consultation the RTWPB  conducted on the wage hike petitioners.

The main petitioners in Metro Manila are the Trade Union Congress of the Philippines (TUCP), Trade Union of the Philippines and Allied Services (TUPAS), and the Board of Alliance for Wage Increase (BAWI).

The TUCP seeks a R75 across-the-board wage hike, while TUPAS wants R70 increase. BAWI, on the other hand, is asking for a R65 wage increase.

During the wage consultations, the petitioners noted the increasing prices of commodities and the cost of living that prompted them to seek  a wage adjustment.