Central Visayas Minimum Wage 2026: P42 Hike Starts Oct. 14
The daily minimum wage in Cebu, Bohol, Negros Oriental and Siquijor goes up by P42 on October 14. Here are the new rates and what changes.
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The Central Visayas minimum wage 2026 increase takes effect on October 14, adding P42 to the daily pay of private-sector minimum wage earners in Cebu, Bohol, Negros Oriental and Siquijor. In expanded Metro Cebu, the daily minimum rises from P540 to P582, according to reports by SunStar and The Manila Times.
New Rates at a Glance
The National Wages and Productivity Commission (NWPC) affirmed a wage order issued by the Regional Tripartite Wages and Productivity Board for Central Visayas (RTWPB-7). The rates reported are:
| Worker group | Old rate | New rate |
|---|---|---|
| Class A (expanded Metro Cebu, Carcar City to Danao City) | P540 a day | P582 a day |
| Class B (rest of Cebu province, Bohol, Negros Oriental, Siquijor) | P500 a day | P542 a day |
| Domestic workers | P7,000 a month | P7,500 a month |
For a full-time worker, the P42 daily increase works out to about P1,092 more per month, based on the figure in the reports. More than 300,000 minimum wage earners across the four provinces are expected to benefit.
How the Decision Was Reached
The Manila Times reported that Labor Secretary Francis Tolentino, who chairs the NWPC, announced the approval on Saturday, September 26, at the DOLE-7 office in Cebu City. It was the first time the NWPC met in Cebu to review a regional wage order. The regional board had unanimously approved the increase after deliberations on September 11, 12 and 14.
Publication of the order was scheduled for Monday, September 28. Under the rules, the order takes effect 15 days after publication, which gives the October 14 date. The previous rates, ranging from P500 to P540, came from an order that took effect on October 4, 2025.
Negros Oriental and Siquijor remain under the Central Visayas board because the new Negros Island Region has not yet convened its own wage board, according to The Manila Times.
Reactions From Employers and Labor
Not everyone welcomed the amount. SunStar reported that the Mandaue Chamber of Commerce and Industry had asked the board to deny the increase, pointing out that the previous order only took effect a year earlier. The chamber warned that higher utility, fuel, transport and import costs make another mandatory raise hard for small businesses, which it said make up 99.4 percent of registered firms in the region. It suggested targeted help such as food and transport subsidies instead.
On the other side, a labor coalition had earlier petitioned for a P100 across-the-board emergency increase, citing inflation and higher oil prices, according to The Manila Times. SunStar noted that Tolentino said the P42 figure reflects Cebu's inflation rate and is lower than the P60 recently granted in Metro Manila because economic conditions differ by location.
Relief for Struggling Businesses
Employers who cannot afford the new rates have options, per SunStar:
- Exemption: a 75-day window starting October 14 to apply for exemption.
- Sagip Trabaho: a government program that subsidizes affected workers' salaries for 90 days so they still receive the mandated pay.
DOLE Region 7 Director Emmanuel Ferrer stressed that compliance is mandatory and that workers who do not receive the new rate can file complaints, which may lead to inspections, SunStar reported.
What It Means for Cebu Readers
If you work in Metro Cebu on the minimum wage, check that your pay reflects P582 a day from October 14. If you employ household help, the monthly minimum becomes P7,500. Prices in shops and restaurants may shift over time, so it is worth revisiting your budget; our cost of living comparison for Cebu and Davao and the trip budget calculator can help you plan. Job seekers can also browse our guide to call centers in Cebu, and more local stories are on the news page.
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Frequently Asked Questions
When does the new Central Visayas minimum wage start?
The increase takes effect on October 14, 2026, 15 days after the wage order's publication.
How much is the new minimum wage in Metro Cebu?
Class A areas, covering expanded Metro Cebu from Carcar City to Danao City, move from P540 to P582 a day. Class B areas move from P500 to P542.
Can a business be exempted from the increase?
SunStar reported a 75-day window from October 14 for businesses that cannot afford the new rates to apply for exemption, plus a 90-day salary subsidy under Sagip Trabaho for affected workers.
