TACLOBAN CITY – The Regional Tripartite Wages and Productivity Board in Eastern Visayas approved a P35 increase in the wages of minimum wage earners in the private sector and a P300–P400 hike in the monthly salary of domestic workers.

But based on the wage order approved on November 10, the P35 salary increase for workers in the private sector will be given in two tranches – P17 effective December 8, 2025, and P18 on June 1, 2026.

The board said the wage increase was done motu proprio and without any standing petition from the labor sector, based on the existing socio-economic condition of the region.

Among these considerations are the average inflation rate since the last wage order took effect, the 2023 poverty threshold in the region, the 6.2% economic growth rate from 2023 to 2024, and the list of business establishments in Eastern Visayas, wherein 93.5% are classified as micro.

With the implementation of the new wage order, the minimum daily wage for workers in retail and service establishments employing more than 10 personnel will increase from the current P435 to P452 starting December 8 and to P470 starting June 1, 2026.

Business establishments with 10 or fewer workers will have to pay a daily wage of P422 in December and P440 in June, up from the current P405 a day.

Meanwhile, domestic workers in chartered cities and first-class municipalities will have a minimum monthly pay of P6,400, up from the present P6,000 a month. For other municipalities, the minimum wage for kasambahay starting December 8 is set at P5,800 a month, or a P300 increase from the current P5,500 a month.