Calabarzon, Central Luzon next in minimum wage hike process — Dole

MANILA, Philippines — Minimum wage increases in Calabarzon and Central Luzon are next in line for deliberations by their respective wage boards, Department of Labor and Employment (Dole) Acting Secretary Francis Tolentino said Wednesday.

“Ito pong napipinto na, malapit-lapit na, nag-uusap na, ang alam ko po eh hinog na hinog na ay yung Calabarzon. Hindi ko lang po mabanggit pa kung ano yung halaga dahil hindi pa naman napa-publish at hindi pa na-confirm ng National Wages and Productivity Commission Calabarzon po,” Tolentino said. 

(What is already in the pipeline and nearing completion, as I understand it, is Calabarzon. Discussions are already underway, and I believe it is already very close to being finalized. I just cannot mention the amount yet because it has not been published and has not yet been confirmed by the National Wages and Productivity Commission for Calabarzon.)

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He then said Central Luzon, or Region III, would follow Calabarzon in the wage-setting process.

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READ: Dole: P25 NCR wage hike still possible if Wage Order 27 is upheld in court

Tolentino made the statement during the Senate committee on finance’s deliberations on the 2027 budget of Dole and its attached agencies.

He was asked by Sen. Bong Go which regions will soon see possible increases in the set minimum wage aside from the National Capital Region (NCR).

The secretary did not disclose a possible amount for either region, saying the wage orders must first be published and confirmed by the National Wages and Productivity Commission.

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He explained that the timing of wage reviews also varies among regions because the boards begin consultations based on the anniversary dates of existing wage orders.

Earlier during the hearing, Tolentino said workers in Central Visayas and parts of the Negros Island Region would receive a P42 daily wage increase effective Oct. 14.

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The increase will cover minimum wage earners in Cebu, Bohol, Negros Oriental, and Siquijor, he said.

Tolentino also said Davao Region had already implemented its second-batch wage increase in recent months.

The adjustments form part of the regional wage-setting system, under which each Regional Tripartite Wages and Productivity Board determines minimum wage rates based on the conditions and cost of living in its jurisdiction.

In Metro Manila, a P60 daily wage increase under Wage Order No. 28 took effect on Sept. 26, bringing the minimum wage for nonagricultural workers to P755 from P695.

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The new NCR wage order was issued while the earlier Wage Order No. 27, which provided for an P85 increase in two tranches, remains under litigation. /mr