AROUND 1.1 million minimum wage earners across Metro Manila are set to receive a ₱60 daily pay increase starting Saturday, September 26, following the official enforcement of Wage Order No. NCR-28.
According to the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE), the adjustment elevates the daily minimum wage for non-agricultural sector workers from ₱695 to ₱755.
Meanwhile, minimum wage rates for employees in agriculture, small retail and service establishments with 15 or fewer workers, and small manufacturing firms employing fewer than 10 workers have increased to ₱718 from ₱658 per day.
Speaking at the DOLE Central Office in Intramuros, Labor Secretary Francis Tolentino emphasized the role of social dialogue in achieving the wage adjustment.
“This is where we have shown the value of a tripartite mechanism where the government, employers’ groups, and employees’ groups unite to promote and elevate the dignity of the Filipino worker, and to demonstrate that through this unity, we can advance a sustainable economy here in NCR,” Tolentino said.
DOLE clarified that the new rates stem from a structured wage-setting process conducted by the Regional Tripartite Wages and Productivity Board-NCR (RTWPB-NCR) and subsequently confirmed by the National Wages and Productivity Commission (NWPC).
The measure aligns with the Marcos administration’s policy of addressing worker pay demands while maintaining economic balance for employers.
Secretary Tolentino called on employers in the National Capital Region to strictly adhere to the mandate and update their payroll compensation systems accordingly.
DOLE confirmed it will actively monitor enterprise compliance and offer operational guidance to businesses and labor groups during the implementation phase.