Caraga: The first phase of a daily wage increase in the Caraga Region commenced on Saturday, raising the minimum wage from PHP435 to PHP455 as stipulated by Wage Order No. RXIII-20, issued by the Regional Tripartite Wages and Productivity Board-Caraga last year. According to Philippines News Agency, the Department of Labor and Employment announced that a second phase will further increase the daily wage to PHP475, effective May 1. Local worker Pol Cabica, a 32-year-old delivery driver, expressed his approval of the wage hike, noting that while opinions may differ, the increase provides significant support for his family. In addition to the daily wage increase, domestic workers in the region, known locally as "kasambahay," also saw an increase in their monthly salaries starting Saturday. Wage Order No. RXIII-DW-06 mandates that their salaries rise from PHP6,000 to PHP6,500, marking an improvement in compensation for this sector.