Wage hike for workers in Davao region OKd

THE National Wages and Productivity Commission (NWPC) has affirmed two new wage orders for the Davao Region, adjusting the daily pay for private sector workers and monthly rates for domestic helpers effective March 13, 2026.

In a statement on Wednesday, the NWPC said that a decision from its Feb. 23 meeting has paved the way for Wage Order No. RB XI-24, which will raise daily wages for workers in the non-agriculture sector by P30, and by P20 for those in the agriculture sector.

These adjustments will be implemented in two tranches, with the first half effective upon the order’s start date and the second half scheduled for Sept. 1.

Once fully realized, daily minimum wages will reach P540 for non-agriculture and P525 for agriculture sectors, benefiting approximately 66,772 workers.

Meanwhile, Wage Order No. RB XI-DW-04 mandates a monthly increase for the region’s 64,111 kasambahays, according to the wage commission.

Domestic workers in the Davao Region will see monthly wage increases of P500 in chartered cities and first-class municipalities and P1,500 in other municipalities, bringing the regional monthly minimum wage to a uniform rate of P6,500.

The NWPC noted that the Davao Region wage board complied with the Wage Rationalization Act and the Batas Kasambahay, balancing the needs of workers with the employers’ capacity to pay.

The Department of Labor and Employment said that retail and service establishments with ten or fewer employees, as well as businesses affected by disasters, may apply for exemptions until May 11. Registered Barangay micro business enterprises remain exempt from the minimum wage law.

Beyond the immediate hikes, the board is providing technical assistance to address wage distortions for an estimated 402,968 full-time workers earning above the minimum. — Erika Mae P. Sinaking