ILOILO City – With almost every commodity becoming more expensive, many Ilonggos supported the proposed wage hike in the private sector.
Working as a secretary for a commercial establishment for six years, Joy Pioquinto, 46, of Barangay Ungka II, Pavia, Iloilo, said a wage hike is necessary now.
She explained that her daily wage of P500 is insufficient; she spends P150 for her daily allowance and leaves her family with about P350. There are also deductions for the Social Security System and Pag-IBIG Fund contributions.
“Kinahanglan gid ya dugangan, may expenses ka pa everyday, especially nga kataas sang balaklon subong, inflation grabe na bala,” Pioquinto told Panay News.
She asks for a P40 to P50 increase, similar to the approved wage hike in Metro Manila.
She is also thankful that her employer had been compliant, particularly with Wage Order No. RBVI-26 for a P55 increase per day, or from P395 to P450 daily minimum wage, that took effect on June 5, 2022.
Sales clerk Dailyn Dumadaog, 30, of Oton, Iloilo, also favored a wage increase.
“Pabor gid ako kay kulang pa ang akon sweldo sa mga baraklon sa sulod sang balay namon. May bata pa ako daan kag ang bana ko wala man sang obra,” she said.
For Dumadaog, the increase in fares in public utility vehicles caused a significant impact, denting her daily allowance to P100.
“Nagatipid na lang gani ako bisan sa sud-an lang,” she said, requesting a P100 to P150 wage increase.
A mother of four, Ana Arevalo, 36, of Lapuz Sur in Lapuz district, asks for the same.
“Pabor ko nga mapasaka sang sweldo kay tungod sang kamahalon sang balaklon, waay labot nga nagsaka naman ang plete,” she said.
She added: “Ara sa P100 ang gusto ko nga saka kay apat daan akon nga mga bata, tanan estudyante, tapos part-time lang man ang bana ko sa obra ya,”
Sales clerk Ma. Rose Navaro from Santa Barbara town said the minimum wage should be able to keep up with the inflation.
Considering her employer as well, she asks for a P50 increase.
Similarly, sales clerk Ram Abacajin said her wage is barely enough, even for personal expenses.
“Pabor gid siempre kay kinahanglan ta man ang kwarta mo. Daw indi na makabuhi sa amon ang amon sweldo, biskan single damo ka man kinahanglan mo kag ginahatag mo man iban sa parents mo,” said Abacajin, hoping for a P50 per day increase or any amount that employers could.
“Bisan P30 lang sa Iloilo, okay na,” she added.
Angelica Pada of Guimbal did not ask for a specific amount as long as there is an increase.
“Tani pasakaan man nila sa aton para maging fair sa tanan kay ang Manila may increase na, said Pada.
To lessen expenses, she lives with relatives in the city where her work is. Going home would cost her P150 per day or more.
“Nagabalon lang ako sang rice and biscuit para maka-save kapin pa kay ginapa-eskwela ko subong ang akon manghod,” she added.
Meanwhile, Apple May Maghari of Barangay Monica, City Proper said a wage increase would ease all her husband’s hard work.
She tends to a sari-sari store while her husband earns P350 daily as a collector.
“Ang kaon mo sa isa ka adlaw nagadalagan sa P400 to 500 na daan, plus ang pabalom mo pa sa bata mo nga naga-eskwela,” Maghari lamented.
She requests a P750 daily increase for private workers in the region. But if employers are incapable, she is okay with any increase as long as there is a guarantee./PN
