Metro Manila wage board approves new ₱60 daily minimum wage hike

Abi Sarabia M., Philippine Canadian Inquirer
September 10, 2026

Photo courtesy: Philippine News Agency

MANILA, Philippines — Minimum wage earners in Metro Manila could receive an additional ₱60 per day after the regional wage board approved a new wage order while an earlier ₱85 adjustment remains tied up in court.

The Regional Tripartite Wages and Productivity Board in the National Capital Region (RTWPB-NCR) approved Wage Order No. 28, according to Department of Labor and Employment NCR Regional Director Roy Buenafe during the House deliberations on DOLE’s proposed 2027 budget.

The measure has been forwarded to the National Wages and Productivity Commission (NWPC) for review before it can move toward implementation.

If cleared, the new order would raise the daily minimum wage of covered non-agricultural workers in Metro Manila from ₱695 to ₱755.

Workers in agriculture, as well as covered small retail, service and manufacturing establishments currently receiving ₱658 per day, would likewise see their daily minimum wage rise to ₱718.

The latest wage order was issued as the implementation of Wage Order No. 27, which granted a total ₱85 daily wage increase, remains affected by court proceedings.

Under Wage Order No. 27, workers were supposed to receive the increase in two stages: ₱60 upon effectivity and another ₱25 beginning January 20, 2027. The full adjustment would bring the minimum wage for non-agricultural workers to ₱780 per day.

The first tranche was initially scheduled to take effect on July 25. However, a legal challenge filed by Readycon Trading and Construction Corp. and R-II Builders Inc. led the Pasig Regional Trial Court Branch 152 to halt implementation.

The court initially issued a temporary restraining order before granting a writ of preliminary injunction in August. DOLE has since sought reconsideration of the order and continues to defend the validity of Wage Order No. 27.

During the House hearing, labor officials said Wage Order No. 28 was intended to provide workers with a wage adjustment while the earlier order remains entangled in litigation.

The move, however, prompted questions from some lawmakers and labor groups over how the new wage order could affect workers’ entitlement to the full ₱85 increase under Wage Order No. 27.

Labor groups have welcomed the prospect of an immediate ₱60 increase but maintained that they would continue pushing for the full benefits provided under the earlier wage order.

For now, the new ₱60 increase is not yet in effect, pending the required review and subsequent steps for Wage Order No. 28.