Minimum wage earners in Region I (Ilocos) and Region VI (Western Visayas) will receive wage increases this November, following the issuance of Wage Orders by their respective Regional Tripartite Wages and Productivity Boards (RTWPBs).

Wage Order Nos. RB1-24 and RB1-DW-6 of RTWPB-I and Wage Order Nos. RBVI-29 and RBVI-DW-07 of RTWPB VI shall all take effect on 19 November 2025, 15 days after their publication on 03 November 2025. They were reviewed and affirmed by the National Wages and Productivity Commission (NWPC) on 29 October 2025 and will cover an estimated 389,505 minimum wage earners.

In Ilocos region, the approved daily wage increases are ₱45 for the non-agriculture sector employing less than 10 employees and the agriculture sector, which increases their daily minimum wage to P480, or ₱12,520 per month. Meanwhile, the non-agriculture sector employing 10 or more employees will receive a ₱37 increase, raising their daily minimum wage to P505, or ₱13,172 per month.

In Western Visayas, the approved daily wage increase is ₱37 for the non-agriculture, industrial, and commercial sector employing more than 10 workers, which brings their daily minimum wage to ₱550 daily or ₱14,346 per month. For those in the same sector but employing ten workers or less, the increase is ₱40, which brings their daily minimum wage to ₱525 daily or ₱13,694 per month. Meanwhile, the agriculture sector will also receive ₱40, bringing the daily minimum wage to ₱520 daily or ₱13,563 per month.

About 758,733 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.

Meanwhile, domestic workers or kasambahays in Ilocos and Western Visayas will also receive monthly increases of ₱700 and ₱500, respectively, covering an estimated 259,819 domestic workers. This will raise the monthly minimum wage rate in Region I to ₱6,700 and ₱6,500 in Western Visayas.

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.

In deciding the amount of minimum wage increases in both regions, the RTWPBs balanced the rights of workers to be protected from unduly 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 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 until 17 January 2026. 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 I and VI will also conduct information campaigns to ensure compliance among employers and enterprises. For further clarifications, RTWPB I and RTWPB VI can be reached through rb1@www.aliflora.vip and rb6@www.aliflora.vip, respectively.