DOLE monitoring NCR wage hike compliance

The Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) is set to conduct visitorial inspections in the National Capital Region (NCR) to check whether employers are implementing the first tranche of the minimum wage hike that took effect on July 25.

“Magkakaroon po ng visitorial inspections ang ating regional director office dito sa NCR, at alam ko po na sumusunod naman po dito sa National Capital Region ang ating mga employers,” DOLE Secretary Francis Tolentino said Monday on Unang Balita.

(Our regional director’s office in NCR will conduct visitorial inspections. I know that employers here in the National Capital Region generally comply.)

DOLE approved the P85 minimum wage increase for Metro Manila workers in June. The wage hike will be implemented in two tranches—the first this July and the second in January 2027.

“Paalala ko po, doon sa mga hindi kayang maka-comply ay meron po silang hanggang September 23 para po humingi ng exemption. Ito po yung mga maliliit, ‘yung mga medium na baka maapektuhan, baka hindi kayanin,” Tolentino said.

(As a reminder, those unable to comply have until September 23 to apply for an exemption. These are the small and medium enterprises that might be affected or might not be able to afford it.)

Currently, the NCR has an almost 95% compliance rate, according to Tolentino.

When asked about the additional P200 wage increase requested by labor groups, Tolentino said the decision is up to the legislators.

“‘Yung hinihiling na P200 wage increase ay nanggagaling po ‘yan sa ating mga mambabatas, ito po ‘yung legislated wage hike. So hinihintay lang po natin kung anong ipapasya diyan ng Kongreso,” Tolentino said.

(The proposed ₱200 wage increase comes from our lawmakers—it’s a legislated wage hike. So we are just waiting to see what Congress decides on it.)

On the part of the executive branch, Tolentino said that they follow Republic Act 6727 ot the Wage Rationalization Act, which sets regional minimum wages through consultations and meetings of regional tripartite boards.

Tolentino said minimum wage consultations in other regions are still ongoing and are expected to end by the end of the year.

In October, Region 3 and Region 7 are expected to release the outcome of their meetings, according to Tolentino —LYJAH TIFFANY BONZO/ VAL, GMA News