Tacloban city: The Regional Tripartite Wages and Productivity Board (RTWPB) has announced a new order granting a PHP35 daily minimum wage increase for private sector workers in Eastern Visayas, to be implemented in two stages. Under Wage Order No. RBVIII-25, released on Monday, minimum wage earners will see a PHP17 rise in their daily pay starting 15 days after publication.

According to Philippines News Agency, the minimum daily wage for private sector workers in the region will range from PHP422 to PHP452, varying by industry and geographic classification. The second stage of the increase, amounting to PHP18, will further raise the minimum wage to between PHP440 and PHP470, effective June 1, 2026. The RTWPB clarified that these rates apply to normal working hours not exceeding eight hours a day and cover all minimum wage earners in the private sector, regardless of position, employment status, or payment method.

In addition to the wage hike for private sector workers, the wage board has approved Wage Order No. RBVIII-DW-06, which increases the monthly minimum wage for kasambahay (domestic workers) in the region from PHP5,800 to PHP6,400. Employers who fail to comply with the mandated wage increases will face penalties under Section 12 of Republic Act 6727 (Wage Rationalization Act), as amended by Republic Act 8188.

The new wage orders received approval on November 10, with board members representing labor, management, and government agencies in agreement. The Department of Labor and Employment has urged employers to make timely payroll adjustments in line with the new wage orders. The RTWPB's decision followed consultations held in Ormoc City for Western Leyte, Maasin City for Southern Leyte, Naval for Biliran, Calbayog City for Samar, Catarman for Northern Samar, Borongan City for Eastern Samar, and Tacloban City for Leyte.