MANILA, Philippines — Minimum wage earners across Central Mindanao (Soccsksargen) and Western Visayas are set to receive pay adjustments following the recent approval by the National Wages and Productivity Commission (NWPC), according to the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE).
Soccsksargen Wage Adjustments
Workers in the Soccsksargen region—covering South Cotabato, Cotabato, Sultan Kudarat, Sarangani, and General Santos City—will receive a total daily wage increase of ₱41.
Labor Secretary Francis Tolentino announced that the adjustment will be distributed in two tranches: an initial ₱16 effective 15 days after publication, followed by a ₱25 increase in January 2027.
This brings the new daily minimum rates to:
- Non-agriculture, retail, and service sectors: Increased from ₱460 to ₱501 (₱13,068 monthly).
- Agriculture sector: Increased from ₱443 to ₱484 (₱12,624 monthly).
- Domestic workers (Kasambahays): Granted a ₱450 monthly increase, raising their monthly minimum wage to ₱6,450.
Western Visayas Wage Adjustments
In Western Visayas, covering Negros Occidental and Bacolod City, approximately 214,757 workers will benefit from a newly approved daily wage hike ranging from ₱40 to ₱45. Non-agriculture, industrial, and commercial sector employees will receive a ₱40 increase, while agricultural workers will get a ₱45 increase, taking effect 15 days post-publication.
Additionally, about 68,000 domestic workers in the region will receive an extra ₱500 per month, bringing their minimum monthly pay to ₱7,000.
Tolentino underscored the necessity of balancing employee welfare with the financial capabilities of businesses, particularly micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs).
“We encourage employers to observe applicable wage regulations and ensure proper implementation of duly approved wage orders, while reminding workers of their rights under existing labor laws,” Tolentino stated.