Manila, March 25 -- Workers in the Bicol Region thanked the government, especially the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE-5), for the PHP40 wage increase approved by the Regional Tripartite Wages and Productivity Board (RTWPB).

In a press conference Tuesday, DOLE-5 Director and RTWPB Chair Imelda Gatinao said the wage increase will benefit over 100,000 minimum wage earners in the region.

"We are strengthening the support services of agencies that provide livelihood assistance to families to help improve their living conditions," Gatinao said.

The wage adjustment will be implemented in two tranches: an initial PHP20 increase by April 5 and another PHP20 increase effective Dec. 1.

She also clarified that the increase applies to al...