By Dominique Gabriel G. Bañaga

The General Alliance of Workers Association (GAWA) lauded the National Wages and Productivity Commission (NWPC) and the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE), following the recent approval of the P25 salary increase for workers in Negros Occidental and Western Visayas.
GAWA Secretary-General Wennie Sancho said workers, especially those in the commercial and industrial sector, are happy with the increase.
He said the wage hike will further motivate workers to work more efficiently and increase their productivity.
“This is a welcome development for all local workers,” Sancho said.
Sancho also urged companies to follow the mandate in order to promote a “harmonious” relationship between the labor and management sector.
Previously, DOLE-Region VI Director Salome Siaton said the Regional Tripartite Wages and Productivity Board conducted consultations before endorsing the wake hike.
The salary increase was made in response to a petition filed by the Negros Island Chapter of the Philippine Agricultural, Commercial and Industrial Workers Union (PACIWU) in August last year./WDJ