While organized labor groups in Negros Occidental expressed their disappointment on the P12 wage hike approved by the Regional Tripartite Wage and Productivity Board in Western Visayas, some employees see it as a good decision and are even thankful for it.

Ma. Regina Salve Cababat, 31, a staff nurse at the Our Lady of Mercy Specialty Hospital in Bacolod City said that the additional P12 in her daily wage is a big help since she needs to provide for her 3-year old daughter.

Cababat said she and her husband receive the minimum wage and that the pay hike will help them pay their expenses.

Call center agent Gladys Gepulle, meanwhile, also said that she will not have a hard time balancing her expenses as she sends herself to school.

“I am thankful for the increase though it is not much, but at least it will help me pay my tuition,” Gepulle said.

Eusebio Tampos, 45, a construction worker, said that though the P12 cannot cover his jeepney fare to his place, it is acceptable and he is thankful for it.

Tampos, who has three kids all in elementary school, also said he believes that the government is doing its job to protect the workers and the wage hike proves it.

The mother of a store bagger, Elena Palma, 48, of Brgy. 23 said, her son has a contractual job and the wage hike can help them in their daily needs as she still has two more kids to feed.

Palma, a single mother who works as a laundry woman said that only her son is helping her with their expenses. *LTG

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