Baguio city: Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) officials in the Cordillera Administrative Region (CAR) have received two formal documents seeking urgent wage adjustments for regional workers. DOLE-CAR Regional Director Imelda Romanillos revealed that the agency received a position paper from the Kilusang Mayo Uno (KMU) and a resolution from the Baguio City Council, both urging action on wage increases to help laborers cope with the rising cost of living due to soaring fuel prices.

According to Philippines News Agency, these documents will serve as the primary agenda for the next meeting of the Regional Tripartite Wages and Productivity Board (RTWPB). Under current rules, a wage order generally cannot be amended within 12 months of its effectivity unless a "supervening condition" exists. The most recent wage order, issued in December 2025, raised the regional minimum wage to PHP505. That same month, monthly wages for domestic workers (kasambahay) were increased to PHP6,600.

DOLE Secretary Bienvenido Laguesma previously indicated the agency is not planning nationwide increases for Labor Day on May 1. However, he has directed regional boards to continuously monitor and evaluate their specific economic situations. Economic pressures in Baguio City recently led to a voluntary minimum public utility vehicle (PUV) fare hike of PHP20 following a spike in fuel prices. Conflict in the Middle East reportedly drove gasoline prices from a maximum of PHP65 to as high as PHP163 per liter.

Recent fuel price rollbacks have brought diesel prices in the city down to a range of PHP88 to PHP99 per liter. Consequently, the voluntary fare hike was lowered to PHP16 two weeks ago, with further decreases hoped for as fuel costs stabilize.