The Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) has announced an 85-peso increase in the daily minimum wage for workers in the National Capital Region (NCR), with more than 1.1 million minimum wage earners set to benefit from what the government describes as the largest single daily wage hike ever approved in Metro Manila.
Labor Secretary Francis N. Tolentino announced the increase during a dialogue with market vendors, fisherfolk, and construction workers in Malabon City. The adjustment, covered under Wage Order No. NCR-27, will be implemented in two tranches.
“In compliance with the directive of President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr., we are increasing the wages of all workers in Metro Manila. Around 1.1 million daily wage earners will benefit from this. We are implementing a historic PHP 85 wage increase, the highest daily wage increase ever granted in the private sector. The increase will be rolled out in two tranches: PHP 60 effective July 19, 2026, and an additional PHP 25 in January 2027,” Tolentino said.
Once fully implemented, the minimum daily wage for workers in the non-agriculture sector in Metro Manila will increase to PHP 780.
Workers in agriculture, service and retail establishments employing 15 workers or fewer, and manufacturing establishments with fewer than 10 employees will receive a minimum daily wage of PHP 743.
According to DOLE, the wage adjustment was made in line with President Marcos' directive to improve workers' welfare and help them cope with rising living costs.
Tolentino also thanked employers for supporting the wage increase and urged businesses to comply with the new wage order, emphasizing that the adjustment is intended to ease the financial burden on minimum wage earners and their families.
The department said the National Wages and Productivity Commission and the Regional Tripartite Wages and Productivity Board will conduct information campaigns to ensure compliance and assist employers in addressing possible wage distortions resulting from the increase.
DOLE added that other regional wage boards are also reviewing wage levels and holding consultations in response to the President's directive to begin wage assessments ahead of the anniversary of their respective wage orders.