Increase in daily minimum wage will take effect in Western Visayas beginning Wednesday, November 19, 2025.

Valmar Nieves, an employee who dabbles as cashier and attendant at a gasoline station, welcomes the daily minimum wage hike as a big help to the growing needs of his family.

“Malaking tulong sa amin ngayong panahon. Mahal ang bilihin, malaking tulong sa amin ang dagdag na P37,” Nieves said.

According to the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE), an increase of ₱37 is ordered in the non-agriculture/industrial/commercial with over 10 employees; ₱45 in firms with less than 10 employees, which means from ₱513 in the non-agriculture/industrial/commercial with over 10 employees, the daily minimum wage would now be ₱550.

From ₱485 in the non-agriculture/industrial/commercial with not less than 10 employees, the daily minimum wage would rise to ₱530.

In the agricultural sector, the hike is at ₱40 which means from ₱480, the daily wage is now at ₱520.

For Anthony Tanista, a security guard, P37 is a meager amount, but he welcomes the increase as it is a lot better than nothing.

“Malaki rin ang aming pangangailangan, so makatulong talaga kahit magkano lang ang dagdag sa sahod,” Tanista said.

While the daily wage hike is deemed an additional burden to employers, Roberto Abas, general manager of a transport cooperative, said he cannot do a thing about it.

He said he would rather think of the increase as a Christmas gift to his employees.

“Nasa taas na ‘yan, ang kailangan diyan, sundin na lang natin ang kanilang kagustuhan. Hindi naman siya mabigat, makakaya namin ‘yan,” Abas pointed out.

Should employers refuse to abide by the order, DOLE 6 said they could either be fined or charged for violations.