Cagayan de oro: Minimum wage earners and domestic workers, known as kasambahays, in Northern Mindanao are set to receive a salary increase following the approval of a new wage order by the regional wage board.

According to Philippines News Agency, the National Wages and Productivity Commission (NWPC) confirmed Wage Order No. RX-24, which was issued by the Regional Tripartite Wages and Productivity Board (RTWPB)-10 for private sector workers on December 22. This order grants a pay hike of PHP39 for both the non-agriculture and agriculture sectors under Wage Categories I and II.

The salary increase will be disbursed in two phases, with the first phase of PHP25 becoming effective on January 16, 2026, and the second phase of PHP14 on May 1, 2026. Once fully implemented, the adjustments will raise the minimum wage to PHP500 for non-agriculture sector employees and PHP485 for agriculture sector employees.

Wage Category I encompasses the cities of Cagayan de Oro, Iligan, Malaybalay, Valencia, Gingoog, El Salvador, and Ozamiz, along with the municipalities of Tagoloan, Villanueva, Jasaan, Opol, Maramag, Quezon, Manolo Fortich, and Lugait. Wage Category II includes all other areas not listed in Wage Category I, as well as retail and service establishments employing no more than 10 workers.

In addition, Wage Order RBX-DW-06 has approved a PHP500 monthly pay increase for kasambahays throughout Northern Mindanao, raising their minimum monthly wage to PHP6,500.

Both Wage Order No. RX-24 and Wage Order RBX-DW-06 are scheduled to be published on December 31 and will take effect on January 16, 2026.