Baku:Manila The National Wages and Productivity Commission (NWPC) has confirmed the approval of four new wage orders that will increase the minimum wage for private-sector workers and domestic workers in the regions of Western Visayas and Soccsksargen.

According to Philippines News Agency, the wage orders were endorsed by the Regional Tripartite Wages and Productivity Boards (RTWPBs) and approved by the commission, which is chaired by Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) Secretary Francis Tolentino. These orders include Wage Order VI-30 for Western Visayas, which stipulates an increase in daily minimum wages by PHP40 to PHP45. As a result, non-agricultural, industrial, and commercial establishments employing more than 10 workers will offer a daily minimum wage of PHP590, while those with 10 or fewer workers, along with agricultural workers, will offer PHP565.

Additionally, Wage Order RBVI-DW-08 provides a PHP500 monthly wage increase for domestic workers in Western Visayas, raising their minimum monthly wage from PHP6,500 to PHP7,000. These adjustments are expected to benefit approximately 193,000 private-sector workers and 161,000 domestic workers in the region, with the orders to be published on November 4 and taking effect on November 19.

In Soccsksargen, Wage Order XII-26 has been issued, granting a PHP41 daily wage increase for private-sector workers. This will be implemented in two phases PHP16 on November 19 and PHP25 on January 1, 2027. After these increases, non-agriculture, retail, and service workers will receive PHP476 daily, while agricultural workers will earn PHP459. For domestic workers, Wage Order XII-DW-06 introduces a PHP450 monthly increase, raising the monthly minimum wage from PHP8,000 to PHP8,450. The region has an estimated 209,000 minimum wage earners and 38,000 domestic workers, with the new rates commencing on November 19, except for the second tranche of the private-sector increase effective January 1, 2027.