Regional wage boards approve wage hike in Central Luzon, SOCCSKSARGEN

Minimum wage earners in Region III (Central Luzon) are set to receive higher wages starting next month after the regional wage board approved P50 to P80 daily wage hike in the region. 

In a statement Friday, the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) said the National Wages and Productivity Commission (NWPC) affirmed Wage Order No. RB No. 26, hiking the daily minimum wage for workers in Bataan, Bulacan, Nueva Ecija, Pampanga, Tarlac,  Zambales by P50, and by P60 in Aurora. 

The wage increase will bring the monthly minimum wage for workers in the agriculture sector to P14,607 to P15,650; and in the non-agriculture sector to P14,215 to P14,868. 

Meanwhile, employees in retail and service establishments by P50 in Bataan, Bulacan, Nueva Ecija, Pampanga, Tarlac and Zambales to ?80 in Aurora, increasing the minimum monthly wage to P13,433 to P15,389. 

“Similarly, kasambahays in Central Luzon will receive a P500 monthly increase, raising the monthly minimum wage rate in the region to ?6,500 and benefitting an estimated 126,762 kasambahays of which, 11,595 or 9% are on live-in arrangements,” the DOLE said. 

The decision will take effect on October 30, or 15 days after its publication on October 14, 2025. 

SOCCSKSARGEN

Likewise, the DOLE said the Regional Tripartite Wages and Productivity Board (RTWPB) issued Wage Order No. RB XII-25, increasing the daily minimum wage of employees in the agriculture and retail and service sectors in SOCCSKSARGEN by P30 and in the agriculture sector by P33. This brings their minimum monthly wages to P11,998 and P11,555, respectively. 

NWPC affirmed the wage order on November 9. 

“Accordingly, around 21,000 minimum wage earners in SOCCSKSARGEN will benefit from the increase, and about 144,000 full-time wage and salary workers earning above the minimum wage are also expected to indirectly benefit from wage adjustments due to correction of wage distortions,” the DOLE added. 

Domestic helpers in the region will also receive an increase ranging from P1,000 in cities and 1st class municipalities to P1,500 in other municipalities, bringing their monthly minimum wage to P6,000. 

 The wage hike is poised to benefit around 26,688 domestic helpers, DOLE added. —VAL, GMA Integrated News