Wage hikes in Calabarzon, Central Visayas approved —DOLE

Minimum wage earners in Region IV-A (Calabarzon) are set to receive higher wages soon after the Regional Tripartite Wages and Productivity Board (RTWPB) approved a P21 to P75 increase in the daily wage in the region.

According to the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) on Monday, the National Wages and Productivity Commission (NWPC) affirmed the wage order that will hike the daily minimum wage in Calabarzon to P450 to P560 in the non-agriculture sector. 

The increase would take effect on September 30, or five days after the anniversary date of the previous regional wage increase. The last wage order of the RTWPB-Calabarzon became effective on September 24, 2023.

Meanwhile, the DOLE said the RTWPB IV-A has re-categorized the grouping of areas based on the income classification of local government units and simplified the wage structure into the agriculture and non-agriculture sectors and retail establishments employing not more than 10 workers.

The increase would bring the daily minimum wages to P450-P560 in the non-agriculture sector; P425-P500 in the agriculture sector; and P425 in retail and service establishments employing not more than 10 workers upon full implementation of all tranches. 

Region VII 

Likewise, the RTWPB-Region VII (Central Visayas) issued a wage order granting P33 to P43 increase in the daily minimum wage rates in the region starting next month. 

The DOLE said the new wage rates will take effect on October 2, the day immediately following the anniversary date of the previous regional wage order. The RTWPB-VII issued its last wage order on October 1, 2023. 

“The RTWPB-VII kept its area-based classifications of Classes A, B, and C, but each class now has a single wage rate for both agriculture and non-agriculture sectors,” the DOLE said. 

The increase brings the daily minimum wages from P458-P468 to P501 for Class A; P425-P430 to P463 for Class B; and P415-P420 to P453 for Class C, it added. 

Areas in Class A include the cities of Carcar, Cebu, Danao, Lapulapu, Mandaue, Naga, Talisay & Municipalities of Compostela, Consolacion, Cordova, Liloan, Minglanilla, San Fernando or Expanded Metro Cebu. 

Class B areas are other cities not covered under Class A such as Bais, Bayawan, Bogo, Canlaon, Dumaguete, Guihulngan, Tagbilaran, Tanjay, Toledo. Meanwhile, areas in Class C are other municipalities not covered under Class A and Class B.

“The new rates for workers in private establishments translate to about 7% to 8% increase from the prevailing daily minimum wage rates in the two regions and result in a comparable 11% increase in wage-related benefits covering 13th-month pay, service incentive leave, and social security benefits such as SSS, PhilHealth, and Pag-IBIG,” said DOLE.

In May, DOLE Secretary Bienvenido Laguesma said some regional wage boards will begin the review of wage orders after President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. ordered a review of the minimum wage rates in every region.

The RTWPB approved a P35 hike in the daily minimum wage of NCR in July, increasing it from P610 to P645 for the non-agriculture sector.

Last week, Laguesma said the DOLE is expectng all RTWPBs across the country to finish their review before the end of the year. —KBK, GMA Integrated News