ILOILO City – Starting this November 17, a new minimum wage increase for the private sector in Western Visayas will take effect under Wage Order Number RBVI-28.
The National Wages and Productivity Commission (NWPC) approved the order submitted by the Regional Tripartite Wages and Productivity Board (RTWPB), headed by Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) Region 6 director Atty. Sixto Rodriguez Jr. on October 28.
Wage Order No. RBVI-28, which implements a revised minimum wage for private sector employees, and Wage Order No. RBVI-DW-06, covering domestic workers in Western Visayas, are set for publication on November 1, and will come into force on November 17, one day before the anniversary of last year’s Wage Order RBVI-27.
The new wage rates for the private sector are as follows:
For non-agriculture / industrial / commercial sectors
* employers with over 10 workers – P513 a day (from P480, a P33 increase)
* employers with 10 workers or fewer – P485 a day (from P450, a P35 increase)
For agricultural sector
* all employees – P480 a day (from P440, a P40 increase)
For domestic workers
* P6,000 a month, or a P1,000 increase from P5,000
RTWPB issued Wage Order No. RBVI-28 on October 22 following President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr.’s directive during the 2024 Labor Day celebration, urging all regional wage boards to review minimum wage levels.
According to Rodriguez, RTWPB approved the wage increase based on employee demands, noting the substantial wage gap between Region 6 and other regions, especially the National Capital Region.
“The wage levels in our region are significantly lower compared to others, so this adjustment aims to narrow that gap,” said Rodriguez.
The wage increase was determined following the Wage Rationalization Act (Republic Act No. 6727), considering various criteria. The regional wage board, comprising representatives from government, management, and labor sectors, also conducted public consultations and hearings as part of the wage review process.
RTWPB has committed to information campaigns to promote compliance and assist enterprises in addressing any wage discrepancies resulting from the increase.
Businesses seeking exemption from the new wage hike must submit exemption applications. For further information, inquiries can be directed to rb6@produktiboatsahod.onmicrosoft.com.
Under NWPC’s Omnibus Rules on Minimum Wage Determination, retail or service establishments with no more than 10 employees, as well as enterprises impacted by natural or human-induced calamities, may apply for exemption.
Barangay Micro Business Enterprises (BMBEs) are also exempt from the minimum wage law under Republic Act No. 9178./PN