Minimum wage earners in Region III (Central Luzon) and Region XII (SOCCSKSARGEN) will receive wage increases this October and November, following the issuance of Wage Orders by their respective Regional Tripartite Wages and Productivity Boards (RTWPBs).

The approved daily wage increases are from ₱50 to ₱80 in Central Luzon and ₱30 to ₱33 in SOCCSKSARGEN. This will cover an estimated 1,193,254 minimum wage earners, as announced by the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE).

Kasambahays in Central Luzon and SOCCSKSARGEN will also receive a monthly increase of ₱500 and ₱1,000 to ₱1,500, respectively, covering an estimated 153,450 domestic workers.

Moreover, about 1,429,737 full-time wage and salary workers earning above the minimum wage are also expected to indirectly benefit from wage adjustments at the enterprise level in the said regions, arising from the correction of wage distortions. Wage distortions occur when the implementation of a mandated wage increase (i.e. wage order) results in the elimination or severe contraction of intentional quantitative differences in wage or salary rates between and among employee groups in an establishment. NWPC Advisory No. 01, Series of 2023, provides guidance to correct possible wage distortions.

Wage Order Nos. RBIII-26 and RBIII-DW-05 shall take effect on 30 October 2025, 15 days after its publication on 14 October 2025. Meanwhile, Wage Order Nos. RB XII-25 and RB XII-DW-05 shall take effect on 02 November 2025, following its publication on 17 October 2025. The same was reviewed and affirmed by the National Wages and Productivity Commission (NWPC) on 09 October 2025.

The new wage orders align with the continuing directive of President Ferdinand R. Marcos, Jr. for the timely and regular review of regional minimum wage rates to reduce uncertainty, enhance fairness for all stakeholders, and foster a stronger link between productivity and wages.

Wage Hike in Central Luzon

In Central Luzon, the daily minimum wage for the non-agriculture sector will increase by ₱50 in Bataan, Bulacan, Nueva Ecija, Pampanga, Tarlac, and Zambales, and by ₱60 in Aurora. Upon full implementation of all tranches, the sector’s wage will range from ₱560 to ₱600 a day, or ₱14,607 to ₱15,650 per month.

Similarly, for the agriculture sector, the increase ranges from ₱50 in Bataan, Bulacan, Nueva Ecija, Pampanga, Tarlac and Zambales to ₱60 in Aurora. Once all tranches become effective, daily rates will range from ₱545 to ₱570 a day, or ₱14,215 to ₱14,868 per month.

Meanwhile, in retail and service establishments, daily pay will increase by ₱50 in Bataan, Bulacan, Nueva Ecija, Pampanga, Tarlac and Zambales to ₱80 in Aurora. This will result in a new range of ₱515 to ₱590 a day, or ₱13,433 to ₱15,389 per month.

Around 1.2 million minimum wage earners in Central Luzon will benefit from the increase, and about 1.3 million full-time wage and salary workers earning above the minimum wage are also expected to indirectly benefit from wage adjustments due to correction of wage distortions.

Similarly, kasambahays in Central Luzon will receive a ₱500 monthly increase, raising the monthly minimum wage rate in the region to ₱6,500 and benefitting an estimated 126,762 kasambahays of which, 11,595 or 9% are on live-in arrangements.

Wage Hike in SOCCSKSARGEN

In SOCCSKSARGEN, the daily minimum wage rates for the non-agriculture and retail and service sectors will increase by ₱30. This will bring the minimum wage in these sectors to ₱460 a day, or ₱11,998 per month, upon full implementation of all tranches.

For the agriculture sector, the daily minimum wage rates will increase by ₱33. This is equivalent to a daily minimum wage rate of ₱443 a day, or ₱11,555 per month, upon full implementation of all tranches.

Accordingly, around 21,000 minimum wage earners in SOCCSKSARGEN will benefit from the increase, and about 144,000 full-time wage and salary workers earning above the minimum wage are also expected to indirectly benefit from wage adjustments due to correction of wage distortions.

For kasambahays, the RTWPB XII decided on a single monthly minimum wage rate for the sector from the initial two rates in line with the simplification thrust of the Commission. Domestic workers in the region will receive an increase ranging from ₱1,000 in cities and 1st class municipalities to ₱1,500 in other municipalities bringing their monthly minimum wage to ₱6,000 and benefitting around 26,688 kasambahays of which, 11,646 or 44% are on live-in arrangements.

In deciding the amount of minimum wage increases in both regions, the RTWPBs balanced the rights of workers to be protected from undue low pay and of employers to reasonable

profits, as well as the overall development objectives of promoting employment and productivity and preventing inflation.

Retail and service establishments regularly employing no more than ten (10) workers, and enterprises affected by natural calamities and/or human-induced disasters may apply for exemption from the wage increase. Barangay Micro Business Enterprises (BMBEs) with valid Certificates of Authority from the Department of Trade and Industry are not covered by the minimum wage law.

DOLE will undertake a massive information campaign to ensure public awareness and will closely monitor compliance with the wage orders through labor inspections. RTWPBs III and XII will also conduct information campaigns to ensure compliance among employers and enterprises. For further clarifications, RTWPB III can be reached through rb3@www.aliflora.vip, and RTWPB XII through rb12@www.aliflora.vip