NWPC Approves ₱42 Minimum Wage Increase for Central Visayas Workers
CEBU, Philippines — Minimum wage earners across Central Visayas are set to receive a financial boost following the approval of a ₱42 daily wage increase by the National Wages and Productivity Commission (NWPC).
The adjustment was officially confirmed by Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) Acting Secretary and NWPC Chairperson Francis Tolentino. The new rates are scheduled to take effect on October 14, 2026, following the formal publication of the wage order on September 28, 2026. Under standard labor guidelines, wage orders take effect 15 days after publication.
Breakdown of New Wage Rates
The wage increase targets workers in private establishments as well as domestic workers (kasambahays) across Region VII.
Private Sector Daily Rates
| Classification | Covered Areas | Previous Rate | Adjustment | New Daily Minimum Wage |
| Class A | Expanded Metro Cebu (Carcar City to Danao City, including Metro Cebu cities) | ₱540 | +₱42 | ₱582 |
| Class B | Other areas in Cebu province, Bohol, Negros Oriental, and Siquijor | ₱500 | +₱42 | ₱542 |
Note on Regional Coverage: Workers in Negros Oriental and Siquijor remain under the jurisdiction of the Regional Tripartite Wages and Productivity Board (RTWPB) Region VII for this wage order, as the wage board for the newly established Negros Island Region (NIR) has not yet convened.
Monthly Minimum Wage for Domestic Workers
Domestic workers in the region will also receive a standardized wage adjustment:
* Previous Minimum Wage: ₱7,000 / month
* Increase: +₱500 / month
* New Minimum Wage: ₱7,500 / month
Impact on the Regional Economy
According to Secretary Tolentino, the ₱42 daily increase translates to approximately ₱1,092 in additional monthly income for a standard working month, directly benefiting more than 300,000 minimum wage earners across the region's four provinces.
The wage adjustments were determined after a series of regional public consultations held by RTWPB-VII. These sessions aimed to balance the urgent need to cushion workers from rising living costs—driven by inflation on essential food commodities, utilities, and transport—against the operational sustainability of micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs) operating in Central Visayas.
0 Comments