Wage hike OK'd for Northern Mindanao minimum wage earners, kasambahays

Minimum wage earners in the private sector and domestic workers, or "kasambahays," in Northern Mindanao should expect higher pay next year.

This developed after the National Wages and Productivity Commission (NWPC), in its meeting on December 22, 2025, affirmed Wage Order RX-24 and Wage Order RBX-DW-06 of the Regional Tripartite Wages and Productivity Board-X (RTWPB-X), according to the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE).

The DOLE said Wage Order RX-24 grants an increase of P39 in minimum wages in the non-agriculture and agriculture sectors under Wage Categories I and II. 

Wage Category I includes the cities of Cagayan de Oro, Iligan, Malaybalay, Valencia, Gingoog, El Salvador, and Ozamiz and the municipalities of Tagoloan, Villanueva, Jasaan, Opol, Maramag, Quezon, Manolo Fortich, and Lugait.  

Wage Category II covers all other areas not mentioned under Wage Category I, and all retail and service establishments employing not more than 10 workers.  

The increases will bring the minimum wage rates in the region to a range of P485 (Wage Category II) to P500 (Wage Category I) upon full implementation.

The Labor Department said the increase will be given in two tranches—P25 upon the date of effectivity on January 16, 2026 and another P14 effective May 1, 2026.

Meanwhile, Wage Order RBX-DW-06 grants a P500-monthly increase for domestic workers across Northern Mindanao, bringing the monthly minimum wage of domestic workers to P6,500.

The DOLE said Wage Order RX-24 and Wage Order RBX-DW-06 will be published on December 31, 2025 and will take effect on January 16, 2026. — VDV, GMA Integrated News