Bicol: Minimum wage earners in the Bicol Region will see a PHP20 increase in their daily take-home pay effective Monday. With the implementation of the second tranche, the new daily minimum wage in the Bicol Region will now be PHP435. Imelda Gatinao, regional director of the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) and chairperson of the Regional Tripartite Wages and Productivity Board (RTWPB V), said the salary adjustment is part of Wage Order No. RBV-22, which was approved by the RTWPB V on March 10, 2025.
According to Philippines News Agency, Gatinao clarified that the first tranche, also amounting to PHP20, took effect on April 5, 2025. "This wage increase will apply to all minimum wage earners in the private sector in the Bicol region, regardless of position, designation, or employment status, and irrespective of how their wages are paid," she said.
In a separate interview, Rosalie Castillo, a 45-year-old utility worker from Barangay Dapdap, expressed her appreciation for the increase, saying that it would help allocate an additional budget for her family. Mary Jane Opena from Guinobatan, Albay, shared her thoughts on the increase. "For me, as someone receiving minimum wage in the province, this wage increase is a significant help. However, with the continuous rise in the prices of goods, it still feels insufficient, especially for those supporting families. Currently, the minimum wage barely covers personal expenses and is not enough to meet the needs of an entire family," she said.
Another minimum wage earner, Glydel Sarcia, appreciated the wage increase, saying it is better than no increase at all. "However, given the rising cost of living, I hope for further increases in the minimum wage, especially for those of us with families," she said.
Jude Ola±o, 29, who works in a private firm, said the increase, though helpful, does not fully meet the needs of minimum wage earners. "While the PHP20 wage increase is a significant help, it still falls short of the real needs of workers, especially as prices of basic goods continue to rise. For minimum wage earners, this amount is not enough to ease the burden of daily expenses, and additional adjustments are still needed to ensure families can make ends meet," he said. "We continue to call for a higher and more sustainable wage adjustment to ensure that salaries are sufficient for a decent and dignified life for every family."
