DOLE explains COLA computation and benefits

     MANILA, May 13 (PNA)-- Acting Labor and Employment Secretary Danilo P. Cruz explained on Friday that the P22 cost-of-living allowance granted under the new approved Wage Order No. 16 in the National Capital Region (NCR) is included in the computation of mandatory monetary benefits of minimum wage earners in the private sector in the region.
     "After the Regional Tripartite Wages and Productivity Board (RTWPB) in the National Capital Region has approved Wage Order No. 16 on May 9 granting a P22 COLA increase in the daily compensation of minimum wage workers in the private sector and after this has been published in a newspaper of general circulation as required, our role now is to explain the COLA computation and its benefits to our workers," said Cruz.
     According to Cruz, the COLA granted under Wage Order No. 16 is included in the computation of private sector workers' five days service incentive leave, vacation leave, sick leave, paternity and maternity leaves and leaves under Republic Act No. 9262, or the Victims of Violence against Women and their Children.
     He added that the COLA is also computed in the payment of 12 national holidays and three special holidays. it is also included in the determination of the premium payments for Social Security System (SSS) and Pag- IBIG, and separation and retirement pays.
     "Under labor standard regulations, COLAs are included in the computation of the mandatory related benefits of workers," said Cruz.
     The COLA, however, is excluded in the computation of th payment for the 13th month pay, overtime pay, night shift differential pay and PhilHealth premiums pursuant to Presidential Decree No. 525 or Letter of Instruction No. 174.
     Upon effectivity on May 26, 2011, non- agriculture workers in Metro Manila will receive a daily income of P426, while those in the agriculture, retail and services, and manufacturing establishments will get P389 daily income. Close to two million workers in the nation's premier capital will benefit from the COLA.

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
     The article above which I am going to react unto is a very controversial topic circulating our country right now and is certainly one of the latest issues on our country's economy. COLA is a monetary value that cannot be neglected by Filipinos because even to its littlest value, my fellowmen, especially those who are working in private sectors, are appreciating it because of the fact that it is really a great help.
     I admire the fact that DOLE really had the senses to explain to the public what COLA covers and what does it do to the laborers of this country. In this way, people are aware of the benefits that they additionally get on their work. Also, they are generally aware of the economic progress of this country, even to the smallest incremental change.
     The fact that COLA is included to the leaves that employees take benefit to, and the special and national holidays that this country usually commemorates, I find it commendable and plausible because the days mentioned are the days that an employee cannot intentionally avoid due to valid circumstances. This means, they still earn even to the smallest amount because we all know that even the smallest amount of penny means a lot to working Filipinos nowadays.
     This successful proposal for COLA is something I cannot deny essential to every Filipino working for themselves and for their families. But one thing that makes it unpleasant for me is the inequality of distribution of additional benefits amongst the country's workers. As we all know, this COLA is only applicable to NCR workers yet. I do not know if this would come up to the south eventually.
     I have heard from my aunt that this COLA implemented in NCR also had an impact to the south but minimally. There has also been a COLA for the southern workers but not of the same value as those given to the workers in the Capital. Workers in Visayas and Mindanao is said to have only P8 for their COLA.
     P8? What is that for? That's just for one regular jeepney fare in its minimum price. I think the office for the national budget did not consider the condition of those who aren't living in the Capital. To face the fact, it is not only in the Capital that workers are having a hard time budgeting their daily income amongst their daily expenses.
     I hope that someday, there would be some actions that would bring equality to the entire nation, not leaving one behind, and not putting one ahead on the other hand.