More than 300,000 minimum wage earners in Central Visayas get a P42 increase in their daily pay starting Wednesday, October 14, Cebu Daily News reported.
The new rates cover private-sector minimum wage earners in Cebu, Bohol, Negros Oriental, and Siquijor. They replace the rates that took effect in October 2025.
The National Wages and Productivity Commission (NWPC) approved the wage order on September 26. It took effect after the required publication and waiting period.
How Much Is the New Minimum Wage?
The Regional Tripartite Wages and Productivity Board (RTWPB-7) divides the region into two classes:
- Class A: P582 a day, up from P540
- Class B: P542 a day, up from P500
That is an increase of about 7.8% for both classes, according to the report.
Where Are Class A Areas?
Class A covers expanded Metro Cebu:
- Cities: Carcar, Cebu, Danao, Lapu-Lapu, Mandaue, Naga, and Talisay.
- Towns: Compostela, Consolacion, Cordova, Liloan, Minglanilla, and San Fernando.
All other cities and towns in Central Visayas fall under Class B.
What If Your Employer Doesn’t Pay?
Covered employers must pay at least the new minimum rate now that the order is in effect.
Workers who think their employer is not complying can file a complaint with the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE), which can investigate and enforce labor standards. DOLE-7’s regional office is on Gorordo Avenue in Cebu City.
Why It Matters
For workers, P42 more a day adds up over a month. For employers, it means higher payroll costs; in an earlier Cebu Daily News report, a Talisay business group head warned that the hike would hit micro, small and medium enterprises hardest.
