₱60 NCR minimum wage hike takes effect Sept. 26, benefiting 1.1M workers

ASM, Philippine Canadian Inquirer
September 13, 2026

MANILA, Philippines — Around 1.1 million minimum wage earners in Metro Manila will receive an additional ₱60 in their daily pay starting Sept. 26, according to the Department of Labor and Employment.

The increase is contained in Wage Order No. NCR-28, which was published on Sept. 11 and will take effect after the required 15-day period.

Under the new rates, the daily minimum wage for non-agricultural workers will increase from ₱695 to ₱755.

Workers in the agriculture sector, as well as covered small retail, service and manufacturing establishments, will see their daily minimum wage rise from ₱658 to ₱718.

The Regional Tripartite Wages and Productivity Board-National Capital Region approved the adjustment following the tripartite wage-setting process involving representatives from labor, employers and government.

DOLE reminded employers to implement the new rates once the wage order takes effect and said it would monitor compliance across Metro Manila.

The latest adjustment comes amid a continuing legal dispute over Wage Order No. NCR-27, an earlier measure granting a total ₱85 increase in two tranches. Its implementation has been blocked by court orders while legal proceedings continue.

Wage Order NCR-28 provides a separate ₱60 increase intended to give minimum wage earners an adjustment while the earlier order remains tied up in court.

For workers receiving the current minimum rate, the Sept. 26 increase means an additional ₱60 for every day worked covered by the minimum wage rules.