A hike in daily minimum wage worth P37 to P45 in Western Visayas has been approved.
Every peso counts for Roy Panes, an employee and a breadwinner. With the soaring prices of commodities, he has to get by with whatever remains of his meager salary.
Panes said an increase in daily minimum wage in Western Visayas would help.
"Nagpapasalamat tayo sa DOLE [Department of Labor and Employment] na tumaas. Malaking tulong sa mga tulad namin na mga empleyado. Hopefully tumaas pa,” Panes said.
Workers in the non-agricultural/industrial/commercial sector with over 10 employees will get an additional P37 in daily minimum wage, while ₱45 for industries with less than 10 employees. This means that from ₱513 in the non-agricultural/industrial/commercial sector with over 10 employees, the minimum daily wage is now at P550.
From ₱485 daily wage in the non-agricultural/industrial/commercial sector with less than 10 employees, the amount will rise to ₱530.
The adjustment in daily minimum wage will take effect on November 19, 2025.
“Meron na tayong bagong wage order issued last week at it will take effect on November 19, 2025. Sana sapat na ang aming ibinigay at 'yun lang muna dahil meron ding considerations ang employers na dapat din nating intindihin," said Atty. Sixto Rodriguez Jr., chairman of the Regional Tripartite Wages and Productivity Board (RTWPB) 6.
In the agricultural sector, a P40-increase means that from ₱480, the daily wage will be adjusted to ₱520.
Rolando Berdejo, an employer, said he welcomes the wage hike but will implement an internal agreement with his employees.
"Naaawa naman ako sa mga tauhan ko. Para sa akin, okay talaga yan. Ngunit syempre, may internal naman akong gagawin to improve. Ang i-increase ko, dapat i-increase ko rin. Number 1, ang kanilang attitude towards work, dagdagan nila, i-increase rin nila ang kanilang trabaho,” Berdejo said.
However, the United Labor Alliance Panay pointed out that the approved wage increase is far from the P200 they had demanded. The group called on the national government to abolish the RTWPB instead.
“Ang P37 maliit talaga and it only proves na ang RTWPB inutil talaga. With the sentiments naman ng maliliit nating mga negosyante na hindi nila kaya kung malaki, kaso sabi natin, what is our government there for?” said Elmer Forro, chairman of the United Labor Alliance Panay.
As for Berdejo, P200 is too much for employers.
“Hindi mo mararamdaman if you are not an employer. Kung one side lang tayo, hindi mo mararamdaman,” Berdejo stressed.
