ILOILO City – Minimum wage earners in Western Visayas may not necessarily have to wait until November 19 for another pay adjustment if soaring fuel and commodity prices are determined to constitute a “supervening condition” warranting an early wage review.
The Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) Region 6 said regional wage boards generally observe a mandatory 12-month interval between wage adjustments, but an extraordinary surge in fuel prices, basic commodities or other economic pressures could justify reopening wage deliberations before the anniversary of the existing wage order.
The clarification comes amid renewed calls for higher wages as workers grapple with mounting living costs and petitions for another wage increase gain attention across Western Visayas.
Under Wage Order No. RBVI-29, which took effect on November 19, 2025, the daily minimum wage is P550 for workers in non-agricultural, industrial and commercial establishments employing more than 10 workers.
Workers in similar establishments employing 10 workers or fewer receive a minimum of P525 a day, while agricultural workers are entitled to P520 daily.
Ordinarily, the Regional Tripartite Wages and Productivity Board (RTWPB) observes a 12-month waiting period — referred to as the “anniversary date” — between wage adjustments to balance workers’ welfare with employers’ capacity to absorb higher labor costs.
However, a wage review may be undertaken before the anniversary date if the RTWPB determines that a supervening condition exists and the National Wages and Productivity Commission (NWPC) confirms the finding.
Such circumstances could include an extraordinary increase in fuel prices or the cost of basic commodities that substantially erodes workers’ purchasing power.
10 FACTORS IN WAGE SETTING
DOLE-6 said wage adjustments are not imposed automatically because regional wage boards are required to evaluate a range of economic and social indicators before determining whether an increase is warranted.
Under Article 124 of the Labor Code and Republic Act 6727, or the Wage Rationalization Act, wage boards consider 10 major criteria: cost of living; Consumer Price Index; demand for living wages; needs of workers and their families; employers’ capacity to pay; prevailing wage levels; fair return on investment; employment generation; family income; and national development objectives.
These considerations are intended to determine whether businesses can absorb higher labor costs while ensuring that wages respond to workers’ basic needs and prevailing economic conditions.
The Wage Rationalization Act also explains why minimum wages differ among regions instead of being set at a single national rate.
RTWPBs use localized data, including regional poverty thresholds, inflation, economic output, labor productivity, employment conditions and business viability, in setting minimum wages.
Among the factors considered are food and non-food poverty thresholds, regional poverty incidence, Gross Domestic Product, industry competitiveness and wage rates in neighboring regions and comparable industries.
Inflation and changes in the Consumer Price Index are also considered during periodic wage reviews, while extraordinary circumstances such as natural disasters and health crises may justify emergency wage action.
The wage-setting system likewise seeks to protect the investment climate and employment generation by ensuring that increases do not impose labor costs that businesses cannot sustainably absorb.
DOLE WARNS EMPLOYERS
Meanwhile, DOLE-6 reminded employers that compliance with the prevailing statutory minimum wage is mandatory.
Employers who fail to pay workers the prescribed minimum wage may face civil and criminal liabilities under labor laws, including the Double Indemnity provision under Republic Act 8188.
Workers who believe they are being paid below the statutory rate may seek assistance from DOLE-6 and its field offices in Western Visayas.
“Nandito ang DOLE Region VI para sa inyo, handa kaming makinig, umalalay, at tumulong sa inyong mga hinaing sa trabaho,” DOLE-6 stated.
Workers may contact the DOLE Regional Office VI at 0998-539-4757; Aklan Field Office, 0920-954-7824; Boracay Satellite Office, 0998-558-5430; Antique Field Office, 0918-930-8569; Capiz Field Office, 0918-963-4310; Guimaras Field Office, 0920-975-6481; and Iloilo Field Office, 0928-559-1343./PN