Minimum wage workers and domestic workers (kasambahays) in Eastern Visayas will receive new a wage increase effective December 8, 2025.

Following the publication of the wage orders on November 22, 2025, the new rates will take effect through Wage Order No. RBVIII-25 for private sector workers, and Wage Order No. RBVIII-DW-06 for kasambahays.

Wage Order No. RBVIII-25, issued by the RTPWB-VIII on November 10, 2025, grants a P35 daily minimum wage increase for workers in the private sector. The wage increase shall be implemented in two tranches: P17 effective December 8, 2025, and P18 for the second tranche effective on June 1, 2026.

The increase brings the minimum wage rates to P440 from P405 for minimum wage workers in agriculture, cottage and handicraft, and in service/retail establishment employing one to ten workers. On the other hand, the wage rate for minimum wage workers in non-agriculture and service/retail establishment employing more than ten workers will increase to P470 from P435.

For kasambahays, the new minimum wage in chartered cities and first-class municipalities will be ₱6,400 after a ₱400 monthly increase, while those in other municipalities will receive ₱5,800 after a ₱300 monthly increase. Wage Order No. RBVIII-DW-06 further provides that the increase applies to all domestic workers, whether in live-in or live-out arrangements.

The new wage order was issued after a motu proprio review of the prevailing minimum wage rates, as the Board did not receive a petition for an increase. Wage Order No. RBVIII-25 cites socio-economic conditions that prompted the adjustment, including Consumer Price Index in the region, the 2023 Poverty Threshold, Gross Regional Domestic Product growth rate, and the number of micro establishments in the region.

According to Republic Act No. 6727 otherwise known as the “Wage Rationalization Act”, the Regional Boards are mandated to determine and fix minimum wage rates applicable in their regions, provinces or industries, and to issue the corresponding wage orders. (Atty. Marie Ronette Salve B. Campo)