Minimum wage workers in Region IVA and Region VII are set to receive wage increases next month, following the issuance by their respective Regional Tripartite Wages and Productivity Boards (RTWPBs).

The approved daily wage increases are from ₱25 to ₱100 and ₱37 to ₱47 in CALABARZON and Central Visayas, respectively. It will be received by an estimated 1,452,182 minimum wage earners, as announced by the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE).

Kasambahays in Central Visayas will also receive a monthly increase of ₱1,000 to ₱2,000, covering an estimated 107,931 kasambahays domestic workers). This will bring the monthly minimum wage rate in the region to a single rate of ₱7,000.

About 2,507,918 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 – occurs 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.

The adjustments in the minimum wage rates come after the National Wages and Productivity Commission (NWPC) reviewed and affirmed on 17 September 2025 the wage orders. Wage Order No. IVA-22 shall take effect on 05 October 2025, 15 days after its publication on 19 September 2025. Meanwhile, Wage Order Nos. ROVII-26 and ROVII-DW-05 in Central Visayas shall take effect on 04 October 2025, following its publication on 18 September 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 CALABARZON

In CALABARZON, the daily minimum wage rates for the non-agriculture sector will increase by ₱30- ₱100, depending on the location of the establishment. This will bring the minimum wage in the region within the range of ₱525 to ₱600 a day, or ₱13,694 to ₱15,650 per month, upon full implementation of all tranches.

For the agriculture sector, the daily minimum wage rates will increase by ₱25 to ₱100, depending on the location. This is equivalent to a daily minimum wage rate of ₱508 to ₱525 a day, or ₱13,250 to ₱13,694 per month, upon full implementation of all tranches. For retail and service establishments employing not more than 10 workers, the daily minimum wage rates will increase by ₱83. This will bring their minimum wage to ₱508 a day, or ₱13,250 per month, upon full implementation of all tranches.

In line with the thrust of the NWPC to simplify wages, the number of minimum wage rates in CALABARZON was reduced from six (6) to four (4) distributed in three (3) major geographical classifications, namely, Component Cities and First Class Municipalities, Reclassified 1st Class Municipalities (Per DOF DO No. 074-2024, 2nd-5th Class Municipalities. This is further subdivided into three (3) major sectoral/industry categories: a) Non-Agriculture, b) Agriculture, and c) Retail/Service Establishment employing not more than 10 workers.

Accordingly, around 1.1 million minimum wage earners in CALABARZON will benefit from the increase. About 1.9 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.

Between 2023 and 2025, the highest daily minimum wage rate in non- agriculture for private sector workers in CALABARZON has increased by a total of ₱130.

Wage Hike in Central Visayas

In Central Visayas, the daily minimum wage rates will increase to P540 for workers in Class A cities and municipalities, and P500 for workers in Class B cities and municipalities. This is equivalent to ₱14,085 per month for establishments located in Class A, while ₱13,042 per month in Class B.

RTWPB VII has approved the simplification of its wage structure by reducing the existing three (3) geographical classifications and corresponding wage rates into two (2), with the merging of former Classes B and C. This streamlining aims to promote greater clarity and consistency in the region’s wage structure.

Class A cities in the region include Carcar, Cebu, Danao, Lapulapu, Mandaue, Naga, Talisay, Municipalities of Compostela, Consolacion, Cordova, Liloan, Minglanilla, San Fernando or Expanded Metro Cebu. Class B cities are all other cities and municipalities in the region.

Similarly, kasambahays in the region will have an increase by ₱1,000 to ₱2000, bringing their monthly minimum wage to ₱7,000. This will benefit around 107,931 kasambahays across Central Visayas, of which, 15,099 or 13.99% are on live-in arrangements.

The new wage order unifies the monthly wage rate for kasambahays in the region regardless of their location.

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 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 DTI 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 order through labor inspections. RTWPBs CALABARZON and VII will also conduct information campaigns to ensure compliance among employers and enterprises.

For further clarifications, RTWPB CALABARZON can be reached through rb4a@www.aliflora.vip, and RTWPB VII through rb7@www.aliflora.vip.