Minimum Wage Hike in Calabarzon and Central Visayas Approved

A minimum wage hike in Calabarzon and Central Visayas has been approved by their respective Regional Tripartite Wages and Productivity Boards (RTWPBs), according to the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) on Monday, September 16.
This increase will benefit about 1.2 million workers in the two regions. In Calabarzon, the daily minimum wage rise ranges between P21 and P75, while in Central Visayas, the increase is between P33 and P43 per day.
“The adjustments were reached through consensus and unanimously approved by government, labor, and employer representatives in both RTWPBs, and were affirmed by the National Wages and Productivity Commission,” the DOLE stated.
According to DOLE, the last wage order for Calabarzon was issued on September 24, 2023, and the wage increase will take effect on September 30, 2023. In Central Visayas, the previous minimum wage hike occurred in October of last year, with the new increase set to be implemented on October 2, 2024.
The minimum wage hike applies to private establishments and varies depending on the establishment’s geographical location.
Calabarzon and Central Visayas have both classified their minimum wages based on geographical areas and sectors. In Calabarzon, wage hikes will occur in two phases: the first on September 30, 2023, and the second on April 1, 2025. In the Extended Metropolitan Area, non-agricultural workers will receive P560, while agricultural workers will get P500. In Component Cities, non-agricultural wages will increase from P520 to P540, while agricultural workers will earn P500. In 1st Class Municipalities, non-agricultural workers will receive P520, and agricultural workers will rise from P465 to P500. Other municipalities will see lower rates depending on classification, with retail and service establishments employing 10 or fewer workers seeing a minimum of P425 per day.
In Central Visayas, wages are divided into three classes: P501 for Class A, P463 for Class B, and P453 for Class C. According to DOLE, these new rates represent a 7%-8% increase from previous wages and lead to an 11% increase in benefits like 13th-month pay, service incentive leave, and contributions to SSS, PhilHealth, and Pag-IBIG.