An estimated 100,414 minimum wage earners in Bicol Region will receive a P40 daily wage increase, while a total of 113,026 kasambahays (domestic workers) in Bicol Region and Zamboanga Peninsula will also receive a monthly wage increase ranging from P900 to P1,000, after the National Wages and Productivity Commission (NWPC) affirmed the wage orders approved by their respective Regional Tripartite Wages and Productivity Boards (RTWPBs) on 14  March 2025.

Wage Order Nos. RBV-22 and RBV-DW-04 issued by RTWPB V will be published on 20 March 2025 and will take effect after 15 days from publication, or on 05 April 2025. Wage Order No. RIX-DW-05 will be published on 18 March 2025 and will take effect on 03 April 2025.

The issued wage orders reflect the ongoing commitment of the NWPC and RTWPBs to uphold the President’s directive to initiate a timely review of regional minimum wage rates to reduce uncertainty, enhance fairness for all stakeholders, and foster a stronger link between productivity and wages.

The new wage order for Bicol region comes after the deferment initiated by the labor representatives in November 2024 to allow economic recovery following the impact of tropical cyclone Kristine.

RTWPBs V and IX shall undertake information campaigns to ensure compliance of employers and enterprises to the new wage orders. For further clarifications, RTWPB-V can be contacted at rb5@produktiboatsahod.onmicrosoft.com, and RTWPB IX at rb9@produktiboatsahod.onmicrosoft.com.

Wage Hike in Bicol Region

Wage Order No. RBV-22 brings the daily minimum wage rate in the Bicol Region from P395 to P435 for all sectors/industries. The P40 daily wage increase will be implemented in two tranches – upon effectivity, and on 01 December 2025.

About 316,784 full-time wage and salary workers earning above the minimum wage may also indirectly benefit from upward adjustments at the enterprise level arising from the correction of wage distortion.

RTWPB V will assist enterprises in correcting possible wage distortions pursuant to NWPC Advisory No. 01, Series of 2023, and to implement productivity improvement programs and gainsharing schemes to support wage growth, especially in areas with low productivity.

Retail and service establishments regularly employing not more than ten (10) workers, and enterprises affected by natural calamities and/or human-induced disasters may apply for exemption from the wage increase as provided for in the Omnibus Rules on Minimum Wage Determination, as amended. Registered Barangay Micro Business Enterprises (BMBEs) are not covered by the minimum wage law pursuant to Republic Act No. 9178 or the BMBEs Act of 2002.

Meanwhile, approximately 94,042 domestic workers in the region will receive a P1,000 monthly increase under Wage Order No. RBV-DW-04. Upon implementation, the new monthly minimum wage for kasambahays in the region shall be P6,000.

A total of 19,607 kasambahays or 21% of all the domestic workers in the region who will benefit from the monthly wage increase are on live-in arrangements.

Kasambahay Wage Hike in ZamPen

Wage Order No. RIX-DW-05 grants a P900 increase to the monthly minimum wage of around 18,984 kasambahays in Zamboanga Peninsula. Upon implementation, the new monthly minimum wage of domestic workers in chartered cities and first-class municipalities in the region shall be P5,500, and P5,000 in other municipalities.

A total of 2,491 kasambahays in the region, or 13% of all the domestic workers who will benefit from the monthly wage increase, are on live-in arrangements.