Republic of the Philippines
Department of Labor and Employment
National Wages and Productivity Commission
REGIONAL TRIPARTITE WAGES AND PRODUCTIVITY BOARD
Cordillera Administrative Region
Baguio City

WAGE ORDER RB-CAR-12

IMPLEMENTING RULES AND REGULATIONS

GRANTING COST OF LIVING ALLOWANCE
IN THE CORDILLERA ADMINISTRATIVE REGION

WHEREAS, R.A. 6727, otherwise known as the Wage Rationalization Act, empowers the Regional Tripartite Wages and Productivity Boards to determine and fix minimum wage rates applicable in the regions and to issue the corresponding Wage Orders subject to the guidelines issued by the National Wages and Productivity Commission;

WHEREAS, the Regional Tripartite Wage and Productivity Board, Cordillera Administrative Region (RTWPB-CAR), after evaluating the socioeconomic conditions in the region, decided to conduct public hearings for the purpose of determining possible adjustments on the wage levels of the private sector workers in the region;

WHEREAS, after due notice to all concerned sectors, the Board conducted Public Hearings on November 14, 2007 in Bontoc, Mountain Province (for Mountain Province and Ifugao Province); on November 15, 2007 in Tabuk City (for Kalinga and Apayao Provinces); and on November 21, 2007 in Baguio City (for Baguio City and Provinces of Benguet and Abra);

WHEREAS, after due public hearings and deliberations, the Board finds the need to grant relief to private sector workers in Region-CAR to help them cope with the rising cost of living without impairing the productivity and viability of business and industry therein;

WHEREAS, consistent with the government’s policy of achieving higher level of productivity to preserve and generate jobs and to augment the income of workers, there is a need to build the capacity of business enterprises to be competitive through productivity improvement and gain sharing programs.

NOW THEREFORE, by virtue of the power and authority vested under Republic Act No. 6727, the RTWPB-CAR hereby issues this Wage Order.

Section 1. Coverage. All private sector workers and employees receiving the minimum wage in the Cordillera Administrative Region regardless of their position, designation or status and irrespective of the method their wages are paid are covered by this Wage Order, except for household or domestic helpers; persons employed in the personal service of another including family drivers; and workers in the registered Barangay Micro Business Enterprises with Certificates of Authority pursuant to Republic Act No. 9178, otherwise known as “Barangay Micro Business Enterprises Act of 2002”.

The daily minimum wage rates shall be:

Sec. 4. Application to Private Educational Institutions.In the case of private educational institutions the share of covered workers and employees in the tuition fees for School Year 2007-2008 shall be applied as compliance to this Wage Order. However, payment of any shortfall in compliance with this Wage Order shall be covered starting School Year 2008-2009.

Private Educational institutions which have not increased their tuition fees for the School Year 2007-2008, may defer compliance with the provisions of this Wage Order until School Year 2008-2009.

In any case, all private educational institutions shall implement this Wage Order starting School Year 2008-2009.

Sec. 5. Application to Contractors.In the case of contracts for construction projects and for security, janitorial and other similar services, the prescribed Cost of Living Allowance shall be borne by the principals or clients of the construction/service contractors and the contract shall be deemed amended accordingly. In the event, however, that the principals or clients fail to pay the prescribed Cost of Living Allowance, the construction/service contractors shall be jointly and severally liable with their principals or clients.

Sec. 6. Workers Paid by Results.All workers paid by results, including those who are paid on piecework, takay, pakyaw, or task basis, shall receive not less than the Cost of Living Allowance for the normal working hours which shall not exceed eight (8) hours per day or a proportion thereof for working less than eight (8) hours.

Sec. 7. Apprentices and learners.Persons employed under Apprenticeship or learnership agreement shall be entitled to not less than Seventy Five Percent (75%) of the new minimum wage rate under this Order.

All learnership and apprenticeship agreements entered into before the effectivity of this Order shall be automatically modified insofar as their wage clauses are concerned to reflect the new prescribed wage rates.

Sec.  8.  Mobile and Branch Workers.The minimum wage rates of workers, who by the nature of their work have to travel, shall be those applicable in the domicile or head office of the employer. 
The minimum wage rates of workers working in branches or agencies of establishments in or outside the Region shall be those applicable in the place where they are stationed. 

Sec.  9.  Transfer of Personnel.  The transfer of personnel from one province or region to another shall not be a valid reason for the reduction of the wage rate being enjoyed by the worker prior to the transfer. 

Sec.  10.   Exemptions.  Upon proper application with and as determined by the Board, the following categories of establishments maybe exempted from the applicability of this Order:

1. Distressed establishment as defined in the NWPC Guidelines No.  02, series of 2007;

2. New Business Enterprises duly registered and established outside Export Processing Zone within two (2) years from effectivity of this Order classified under any of the following:

   a.  Agricultural establishments whether plantation or non-plantation; and

   b.  Establishments with total assets after financing of five million (P5,000,000.00) pesos and below.

3. Garment exporting firms, including indirect exporters, with at least fifty percent (50%) export sale and with forward contracts with their foreign buyers/principals entered into on or twelve (12) months before the date of publication of this Order may be exempt during the lifetime of the said contract but not to exceed twelve (12) months from the effectivity of this Wage Order.  

Sec.  11.  Extent and Duration of Exemption.A full exemption of one (1) year shall be granted to all categories of establishments that meet the applicable criteria for exemption under Sec.  3 of NWPC Guidelines No.  02, series of 2007. 

However, a partial exemption of 50% with respect to the amount or period of exemption shall be granted only in the case of distressed establishments in accordance with the NWPC Guidelines on Exemption.

Sec.  12.  Effect of Application for Exemption.An application for exemption duly filed shall have the effect of deferring any action on any complaint for non-compliance with this Order until resolution of the application by the Regional Board.  In case the application for exemption is not approved, covered employees/workers of the applicant-establishment shall be paid the mandated Cost of Living Allowance under this Order plus one (1) percent simple interest per month retroactive to the effectivity of this Order.

Sec.  13.  Productivity-Based Wages.  To attain higher levels of productivity for competitiveness, to preserve and generate gainful employment and to augment the wages of workers, business enterprises are encouraged to adopt productivity improvement and gain-sharing programs.

Sec.  14.  Appeal to the Commission.  Any party aggrieved by this Wage Order may file a verified appeal with the Commission through the Board within ten (10) calendar days from the publication of this Order.

Sec.  15.  Effect of Filing of Appeal.  The filing of the appeal does not operate to stay the Order unless the party appealing such Order shall file with the Commission an undertaking with a surety or sureties satisfactory to the Commission for payment of the corresponding Cost of Living Allowance to employees affected by the Order in the event such Order is affirmed.

Sec.  16.  Non-Diminution of Benefits.Nothing in this Order shall be construed to reduce any existing wage rates, allowances and benefits of any form under existing laws, decrees, executive orders and/or under any contract or agreement between the workers and employers.

Sec.  19.  Penal Provisions.Any person, corporation, trust or firm, partnership, association or entity who refuses or fails to pay the prescribed Cost of Living Allowance in accordance with this Order shall be subject to the penal provisions under R.A.  6727, as amended by R.A. 8188.

Sec.  20.  Prohibition Against Injunction.No preliminary or permanent injunction or temporary restraining order maybe issued by any court, tribunal or other entity against any proceedings before the Board.

Sec.  21.  Freedom to Bargain.This Order shall not be construed to prevent workers in particular firms or enterprises or industries from bargaining for higher wages with their respective employers.

Sec.  22.  Reporting Requirement.Any person, company, corporation, partnership or any entity engaged in business shall submit a verified itemized listing of their labor component to the Board not later than January 31, 2008 and every year thereafter in accordance with the form prescribed by the Commission.

Sec.  23.  Repealing Clause.All orders, issuances, rules and regulations, or parts thereof inconsistent with the provision of this Wage Order are hereby repealed, amended or modified accordingly.

Sec.  24.  Rules Implementing this Order.  The Board shall prepare the necessary rules to implement this Order subject to approval of the Secretary of Labor and Employment.

Sec.  25.  Separability Clause.If, for any reason, a Sec.  or provision of this Order is declared unconstitutional or illegal, the other provisions or parts shall remain valid.

Sec.  26.  Effectivity.This Order shall take effect fifteen (15) days after its publication in at least one (1) local newspaper of general circulation in the Region.