By Benjamin Cuaresma
MANILA — The Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) has reminded private employers in Metro Manila to implement the first phase of the approved P85 daily minimum wage increase beginning July 25, warning that companies failing to comply will face penalties under existing labor laws.
Labor Secretary Francis Tolentino said the initial P60 increase will take effect following the publication of NCR Wage Order No. 27 on July 9, making the adjustment legally enforceable.
According to DOLE, the wage adjustment is the largest single daily increase ever granted to minimum wage earners in the National Capital Region (NCR).
Tolentino said workers will receive the remaining P25 increase on Jan. 20, 2027, bringing the total wage adjustment to P85.
Once both tranches are fully implemented, the minimum daily wage for non-agricultural workers in Metro Manila will rise to P780.
Workers in agriculture, retail and service establishments employing 15 workers or fewer, and manufacturing companies with less than 10 regular employees will receive a minimum daily wage of P743.
The Labor chief emphasized that employers are required to comply with the new wage order and warned that violations could result in administrative and legal penalties.
Despite the warning, Tolentino expressed confidence that compliance in Metro Manila would remain high, noting that previous wage orders recorded compliance rates of 94 to 95 percent.
DOLE also encouraged employers and labor unions to use collective bargaining agreements (CBAs) to resolve possible wage distortions affecting employees earning above the minimum wage.
Tolentino said negotiated adjustments through CBAs remain the appropriate mechanism to preserve equitable salary structures within companies.
Meanwhile, the labor department said wage reviews continue in other regions of the country, with regional wage boards conducting consultations and evaluating economic conditions before issuing their respective wage orders.
DOLE said it will continue monitoring compliance with the Metro Manila wage adjustment while balancing the interests of workers and employers nationwide.
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