Metro Manila, Philippines – The first tranche of the approved ₱85 minimum wage increase in Metro Manila took effect on Saturday, July 25, raising the daily minimum wage by ₱60 for more than 1.1 million workers.
Under Wage Order NCR-27, the daily minimum wage for non-agriculture workers increased from ₱695 to ₱755.
Workers in the agriculture sector, service and retail establishments with 15 or fewer employees, and manufacturing firms employing fewer than 10 regular workers will now receive ₱718, up from ₱658.
The Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) said the wage adjustment aims to help workers cope with rising living costs, including inflation and higher electricity rates.
It also reminded employers to comply with the new wage order, while qualified micro, small, and medium enterprises may apply for exemption within the prescribed 75-day period.
The remaining ₱25 increase will take effect on Jan. 20, 2027, bringing the daily minimum wage for non-agriculture workers in Metro Manila to ₱780.
