Benguet mine workers secure wage hikes as strikes end

Tuba, Benguet — A four-day strike at Philex Mining Corp.’s Padcal mine in Benguet ended Wednesday after management and the National Mines and Allied Workers Union Local 101 reached a settlement during conciliation talks facilitated by the National Conciliation and Mediation Board.

Under the agreement finalized 14 October 2026, rank-and-file employees will receive a cumulative daily wage increase of P75 structured in three phases — a P23 retroactive bump effective 2 January 2025; an additional P22 increase on 2 January 2026; and a final P30 adjustment on 2 January 2027.

Employees at both the Padcal operations in Tuba, Benguet, and the Poro Point facility in La Union will also receive a P3,500 signing bonus. The bonus and retroactive pay will be disbursed in a lump sum one week after the collective bargaining agreement is ratified.

Additional provisions include increasing the daily incentive for blasters and load-haul-dump operators from P10 to P11, an annual allowance of two incandescent light bulbs, and the retention of existing company benefits. Philex also agreed to coordinate with Diocese of Baguio schools regarding campus miscellaneous fees.

To recall, the labor dispute began 11 October following a deadlock in CBA negotiations. In a strike referendum held 22 September, 757 of 863 participating union members voted in favor of the work stoppage, citing mounting living and transportation costs.