Minimum wage earners and domestic workers in Region V will receive higher pay starting April 5 following the approval of a wage increase by the Regional Tripartite Wages and Productivity Board (RTWPB), the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) announced.
In a statement, DOLE said the National Wages and Productivity Commission (NWPC) affirmed the RTWPB’s wage order granting a P40 daily wage hike for private sector workers in two tranches.
From the current P395, the daily minimum wage in Bicol will increase to P415 on April 5 and further rise to P435 on December 1.
The wage board also approved a P1,000 monthly salary increase for domestic workers, bringing their minimum pay to P6,000 across the region.
“Retail and service establishments with no more than 10 workers, as well as enterprises affected by natural or human-induced disasters, may apply for exemption from the wage adjustment under the Omnibus Rules on Minimum Wage Determination,” DOLE said.
“Registered barangay micro business enterprises remain exempt under Republic Act No. 9178,” it added.
DOLE said the wage hike is expected to benefit 100,414 minimum wage earners, while an estimated 316,784 full-time workers earning above the minimum rate may also gain from wage distortion corrections.
At least 94,042 domestic workers, including 19,607 under live-in arrangements, will receive the salary increase.
The adjustment follows a deferment requested by labor representatives in November 2024, allowing economic recovery after Severe Tropical Storm Kristine hit the region in October last year.