DAVAO CITY – A party-list representative on Tuesday filed a petition to the Regional Tripartite Wages and Productivity Board (TWRPB) here in a bid to increase the wage of workers in Region 11.

Trade Union Congress of the Philippines (TUCP) representative Raymond Democrito Mendoza said the petition is anchored on their advocacy to protect private sector employees from becoming caught up with the skyrocketing basic commodities.

“Workers work to improve their standard of living – they do not only work to keep their wages in step with price increase,” Mendoza told reporters here on Tuesday evening.

The largest workers’ organization in the country petitioned for a P75 across-the-board wage increase for this region – with a current daily minimum wage of P265.

It was learned that the last time the Department of Labor and Employment (DoLE) approved for a wage hike was two years ago in May 2008.

The TUCP has also petitioned that the Cost of Living Allowance be now integrated into the basic wage.

“Wage increase for private sector employees in Region 11 is urgent in the midst of skyrocketing prices of basic goods and services,” Mendoza said.

The National Statistical Coordination Board (NSCB) recently said that income must rise faster than inflation to hold poverty in check.