Manila: Minimum wage earners in Ilocos and Western Visayas are expected to receive higher wages this month, as announced by the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) following the issuance of Wage Orders by the respective Regional Tripartite Wages and Productivity Boards (RTWPBs).
According to Philippines News Agency, in the Ilocos region, the approved daily wage increase is PHP45 for the non-agriculture sector with fewer than 10 employees and the agriculture sector. This adjustment raises their daily minimum wage to PHP480, or PHP12,520 per month. For the non-agriculture sector employing 10 or more employees, the increase is PHP37, bringing their daily minimum wage to PHP505, or PHP13,172 per month.
In Western Visayas, the approved daily pay hike is PHP37 for the non-agriculture, industrial, and commercial sectors employing more than 10 workers, resulting in a new daily minimum wage of PHP550 or PHP14,346 per month. For those within the same sector with 10 workers or less, the increase is PHP40, leading to a daily minimum wage of PHP525 or PHP13,694 per month. Additionally, workers in the agriculture sector will receive an additional PHP40, bringing their daily minimum wage to PHP520 or PHP13,563 per month.
Domestic workers, or "kasambahay," in both Ilocos and Western Visayas will also benefit from monthly increases of PHP700 and PHP500, respectively. This adjustment will affect approximately 259,819 domestic workers, setting the monthly minimum wage rate in the Ilocos Region to PHP6,700 and PHP6,500 in Western Visayas.
The provisions under Wage Order Nos. RB1-24 and RB1-DW-6 of RTWPB-I and Wage Order Nos. RBVI-29 and RBVI-DW-07 of RTWPB VI are scheduled to take effect on November 19, 2025, following their publication on November 3. These new wage orders align with President Ferdinand R. Marcos, Jr.'s directive for regular reviews of regional minimum wage rates to reduce uncertainty and enhance fairness for stakeholders, while fostering a stronger connection between productivity and wages.
DOLE has noted that retail and service establishments with no more than 10 workers, as well as enterprises impacted by natural calamities or human-induced disasters, can apply for exemptions from the wage increase until January 17, 2026. Furthermore, Barangay Micro Business Enterprises (BMBEs) holding valid Certificates of Authority from the Department of Trade and Industry are not subject to the minimum wage law.
