Eastern Visayas workers get higher pay with new wage order
TACLOBAN CITY—More than 164,000 minimum wage earners in Eastern Visayas are receiving higher daily pay starting this week, as the new wage orders for private sector workers officially started taking effect, the Regional Tripartite Wages and Productivity Board (RTWPB) announced.
The wage board reminded employers to comply with the order.
“Workers can file their complaint [with the Department of Labor and Employment, or Dole], then they will be subjected to complaint inspection,” the board said, adding that even anonymous complaints will be accepted.
Wage Order No. 25, which grants a P35 daily wage increase for private sector workers, was issued on Nov. 10 and becomes effective 15 days after its publication on Nov. 22.
The increase will be implemented in two tranches—P17 beginning Dec. 8, and P18 more on June 1, 2026.
The first tranche will raise the daily minimum wage in agriculture, cottage and handicraft, and service/retail establishments with up to 10 workers from P405 to P422, and eventually P440 by June 2026.
For nonagriculture and service or retail establishments with more than 10 workers, the rate will increase from P435 to P452 on Dec. 8, and then to P470 in June.
‘Kasambahay’ pay
The regional wage board also issued Wage Order No. 06, increasing the monthly pay of “kasambahay” (household helper). Those employed in chartered cities and first-class municipalities will now receive P6,400, or a P400 increase, while those in other municipalities will get P5,800, reflecting a P300 increase.
The agency noted that there is no latest data available on how many domestic workers in the region will benefit from the adjustment.
The RTWPB, chaired by Dole regional director Daz Villaruel, said the adjustment was made motu proprio following a review of prevailing socioeconomic conditions, noting that no wage petition was filed this year.
Among the factors cited were the region’s consumer price index, the 2023 poverty threshold, gross regional domestic product growth, number of microestablishments, and other economic indicators.
Under Republic Act No. 6727 (Wage Rationalization Act), regional wage boards are mandated to set minimum wage rates and issue corresponding wage orders within their jurisdiction.
