ILOILO City – The Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) Region 6 on Wednesday pressed employers across Western Visayas to immediately enforce the newly approved wage increases, warning that non-compliance will not be tolerated as the adjustments officially took effect on Nov. 19.
In a reminder to business owners, DOLE-6 regional director and Regional Tripartite Wages and Productivity Board (RTWPB) chair Atty. Sixto Rodriguez Jr. said the wage hike is not simply a policy update but a matter of fairness amid the region’s economic growth.
“As our economy continues to grow, it is essential that every worker in Western Visayas partakes in that progress. This wage order is a step toward achieving equitable growth for all,” Rodriguez said.
Under Wage Order No. RBVI-29, minimum wage earners in establishments with more than 10 workers will receive a ₱37 increase — from ₱513 to ₱550. Employees in smaller establishments with 10 or fewer workers will now get ₱525 daily, up by ₱40 from the previous ₱485.
The agricultural sector likewise sees an uplift, with farm workers’ daily minimum wage rising by ₱40 — from ₱480 to ₱520 — reflecting what DOLE describes as long-overdue recognition of their role in sustaining the region’s economy.
Domestic workers also benefit from the adjustments. Wage Order No. RBVI-DW-07 raises the monthly minimum wage of kasambahays from ₱6,000 to ₱6,500.
Rodriguez underscored that employers must move swiftly to comply, noting that adherence to the new rates is a shared responsibility essential to maintaining decent work standards.
“It’s our collective duty to foster an environment where workers are compensated justly for their contributions,” he added.
DOLE-6 said it will intensify monitoring to ensure full implementation and reminded employers that delays or violations could expose them to penalties. The agency stressed that proper enforcement of the wage increase is crucial to improving the well-being of workers across Western Visayas./PN
