Manila: An additional PHP50 will be received by minimum wage earners in the private sector in the National Capital Region (NCR) starting middle of July, the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) announced on Monday.

According to Philippines News Agency, DOLE Secretary Bienvenido Laguesma stated that the increase was unanimously approved by the NCR Regional Tripartite Wages and Productivity Board (RTWPB) through Wage Order No. 26 and will benefit some 1.2 million workers.

Laguesma mentioned that the PHP50 increase is the highest ever granted by the NCR wage board and will elevate the daily minimum wage rate in Metro Manila from PHP645 to PHP695 for the non-agriculture sector.

In contrast, employees in the agriculture sector, service and retail establishments employing 15 or fewer workers, and manufacturing establishments regularly employing less than 10 workers will see an increase in their daily salaries from PHP608 to PHP658.

Laguesma emphasized that the increase is scheduled to take effect on July 18, 2025, immediately after the anniversary date of the last minimum wage increase in NCR, which took effect on July 17, 2024.

The DOLE chief also noted that the issuance of the new wage order aligns with President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr.'s directive for the timely and regular review of regional minimum wage rates. This aims to reduce uncertainty, enhance fairness for all stakeholders, and foster a stronger link between productivity and wages.

Between 2023 and 2025, the daily minimum wage rate for private sector workers in NCR has seen a cumulative increase of PHP125.