The Negros Oriental Chamber of Commerce and Industry (NOCCI) is opposing petitions for a proposed wage increase this year, citing low inflation in the province.

NOCCI president Edward Du told the Philippine News Agency on Friday that it is unfair for the business sector to agree to a wage adjustment when the prices of commodities have gone down.

“We believe that there is no need for another round of wage adjustment this year because of the province’s negative inflation rates in the past months that the Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA) presented during yesterday’s (Thursday) minimum wage public hearing,” Du said.

The Regional Tripartite Wage and Productivity Board in Central Visayas is conducting a series of public hearings for a minimum wage determination.

During the hearing for Negros Oriental and Siquijor here, the labor sector proposed a PHP1,200 across-the-board increase.

NOCCI said PSA data showed inflation rates for the second quarter of 2025 were as follows: April, -0.1 percent; May, -0.2 percent; and June, -1.0 percent.

In its position paper, NOCCI said that while it respects the rights of workers, it believes a wage increase will not address their plight.

“In fact, increasing wages without increasing productivity… will only exacerbate the problem by further increasing production costs,” NOCCI stated.

The group said a wage increase could push up prices and lead to a “vicious cycle” of hardship for workers, especially in the unorganized sector, which comprises 40 percent of the labor force.

Du added that a wage hike would “cripple” small businesses, as about 90 percent of enterprises in the province are micro, small and medium enterprises. (PNA)