16 wage hike petitions pending in NCR amid fuel crisis

The Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) is currently handling 16 petitions for minimum wage increase in Metro Manila.

In Ian Cruz’s report in “24 Oras” on Thursday, some minimum wage earners are finding ways to save money.

For instance, Joe Cos has been walking to his work everyday to save. His family also switched to using coal for cooking.

“Life is so hard right now — first of all with the price of goods, daily expenses, paying the bills, and then there’s the children's transportation fare,” he lamented.

Although she’s single, Rica Dayuha laments that her daily income of P695 is not enough to pay her bills.

“A budget of P695 isn't enough for people like us who only earn the minimum wage,” she said.

Just like other minimum wage earners, Rica is hoping for a wage hike.

“An increase of P500 to P800 would be okay. That should be enough, at least for those of us who don't have a large family,” she said.

From 2022 to 2025, the total wage increase granted to Metro Manila workers amounted to only P158.

The Labor Department said there are currently sixteen wage increase petitions for the NCR filed by various groups.

“There was a new one yesterday for P1,200. There are other petitions ranging from P500 to P800 and above — that is what they are asking for,” said DOLE spokesperson Lennard Constantine Serrano.

“These petitions are requesting an immediate increase due to Middle East tensions or war.”

On July 18, 2025, a P50-increase in the daily minimum wage was implemented for workers in the NCR. This brought the daily earnings of ordinary workers to P695, while agricultural and small retail workers now receive P658.

This May the NCR Regional Tripartite Wages and Productivity Board will conduct a study to determine if the current salaries of workers in the region remain sufficient.

“A new wage order may be issued by July 18, and a review is already conducted 60 days prior to the issuance of that order,” said Serrano.

But how much would be the increase, it would be up to the regional boards.

In other regions, the Bicol Region implemented an increase last April 8 — a P20-hike that brought the new minimum wage there to P455. The DOLE said the wage hike petitions have also been submitted by various groups in Central Luzon, CALABARZON, and Central Visayas.

Labor groups said a wage increase is now necessary to help workers and their families cope with daily living expenses.

In observance of Labor Day tomorrow, various labor groups will march from Welcome Rotonda to Mendiola in Manila to call for a wage increase.

Meanwhile, DOLE will host 90 job fair sites across the country, featuring one-stop shops for those needing to process government documents. Additionally, Kadiwa Centers will be set up at selected job fairs to provide access to affordable goods. — Vince Angelo Ferreras/BAP, GMA News