Advancing Balanced and Sustainable Wage Policies

Alay Buhay President and CEO Antonio “Anton” Sayo, in his capacity as Vice President and a Governor of the Employers Confederation of the Philippines (ECOP), joined fellow ECOP Governors Freddie Marquez, Rene Almeda, and Butch Guerrero at the National Tripartite Council meeting of the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE).

During the meeting, chaired by Labor Secretary F. Tolentino, Mr. Sayo and his fellow ECOP Governors presented the employers’ position on the new minimum wage in the National Capital Region.

ECOP expressed respect for the NCR wage board’s decision while emphasizing a key point: wage levels in NCR should not automatically set the standard for other regions. Each region has its own economic conditions, cost of living, productivity, and capacity to pay.

The discussion highlighted the need for wage policies that protect workers while supporting the sustainability of businesses, particularly micro, small, and medium enterprises.

Mr. Sayo’s participation reflects his continuing commitment to constructive dialogue among business, labor, and government, helping advance policies that support Filipino workers, enterprises, and sustainable economic growth.