Davao Region Announces PHP38 Daily Wage Increase for Minimum Wage Workers

DAVAO CITY — The Regional Tripartite Wages and Productivity Board (RTWPB-11) has announced a PHP38 daily wage increase for minimum wage workers in the Davao Region, with the first installment set to commence on March 6. This adjustment aims to address the economic needs of workers in light of current socioeconomic conditions.

According to Philippines news Agency, the wage hike will be implemented in two tranches under Wage Order No. RBXI-22. The first tranche, amounting to PHP19 per day, will take effect on the specified date in March, setting the new daily minimum wage for non-agriculture sector workers at PHP462 and PHP457 for those in the agriculture sector.

The second tranche, also PHP19 daily, is scheduled for September 1, raising the minimum wage to PHP481 per day for non-agriculture workers and PHP476 for agriculture workers. Additionally, the RTWPB-11 has approved an increase in the minimum wage for domestic workers under Wage Order No. RBXI-DW-03, effective on the same date in March. The adjustment will elevate the monthly minimum wage to PHP6,000 for domestic workers in chartered cities and first-class municipalities and PHP5,000 for those in other municipalities, up from the current PHP4,500.

Randolf Pensoy, the regional director of the Department of Labor and Employment and concurrent chairperson of the RTWPB-11, stated that the decision to increase wages was informed by the prevailing socioeconomic conditions, including the consumer price index and poverty threshold data from the Philippine Statistics Authority. Pensoy highlighted that the wage adjustment is expected to benefit over 100,000 minimum wage earners in private establishments and nearly 65,000 domestic workers throughout the Davao Region.

This wage increase reflects the government’s commitment to improving the living standards of workers in the region by ensuring their wages keep pace with the cost of living.