The Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) announced the rollout of the first phase of an ₱85 daily minimum wage hike for workers across the National Capital Region (NCR), boosting daily pay by an initial ₱60.
Under Wage Order NCR-27, the minimum daily pay for non-agriculture private sector workers jumps from ₱695 to ₱755. For workers in agriculture, service, retail businesses with 15 or fewer staff, and small manufacturing operations with under 10 regular employees, daily rates rise from ₱658 to ₱718.
According to DOLE, this marks the largest single minimum wage increase ever granted in Metro Manila, directly benefiting more than 1.1 million minimum-wage earners.
Acting Labor Secretary Francis Tolentino noted that the adjustment aims to bolster worker purchasing power against rising inflation and energy costs, aligning with President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.’s goal of improving quality of life.
”Acting Labor Secretary Francis Tolentino said the adjustment is intended to strengthen the purchasing power of Filipino workers and help them cope with inflation and increasing electricity costs, in line with President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.’s directive to improve workers’ quality of life.”
Tolentino urged business owners to comply immediately, warning of legal penalties for non-compliance. He also recommended using collective bargaining and labor-management talks to address potential wage distortion among workers earning above the minimum threshold.
To ease the burden on smaller operations, financial assistance will be available for qualified micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs). Eligible businesses can also apply for exemptions under the wage order within a 75-day application window.
The final ₱25 phase of the adjustment will kick in on January 20, 2027. Once fully implemented, the daily minimum wage will reach ₱780 for non-agriculture workers and ₱743 for those in the agriculture, service, retail, and small manufacturing sectors.