Central Visayas Minimum Wage Increase: P42 Daily Hike From Oct 14
A P42 daily raise takes effect on October 14 for minimum wage earners in Central Visayas, lifting Expanded Metro Cebu to P582. Here are the rates and what employers and workers should know.
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The Central Visayas minimum wage increase of P42 a day is set to take effect on October 14, 2026, after the National Wages and Productivity Commission (NWPC) affirmed the regional wage board's decision. Under the new order, daily pay in Class A areas, which include Expanded Metro Cebu, rises from P540 to P582, while Class B areas move from P500 to P542. This guide summarises what has been reported so far so Cebu workers and employers can prepare.
Central Visayas Minimum Wage Increase: The New Rates
According to The Philippine Star, the NWPC unanimously affirmed the decision of the Regional Tripartite Wages and Productivity Board 7 (RTWPB-7), and Labor Secretary Francis Tolentino announced it in a radio interview. The raise applies after the required 15-day publication period for the wage order.
| Area class | Old daily rate | New daily rate |
|---|---|---|
| Class A (Expanded Metro Cebu) | P540 | P582 |
| Class B (other areas) | P500 | P542 |
Class A covers Cebu City, Danao, Lapu-Lapu, Mandaue, Naga and Talisay, plus the municipalities of Compostela, Consolacion, Cordova, Liloan, Minglanilla and San Fernando, as reported by The Philippine Star.
Who Is Covered
Reports say more than 300,000 minimum wage earners, both agricultural and non-agricultural, will benefit. Coverage includes Bohol, Negros Oriental and Siquijor, which stay under RTWPB-7 for wage-setting until a separate board is set up for the Negros Island Region. The Daily Tribune and People Matters Asia carried the same headline figures, although one outlet put the number of beneficiaries nearer 385,000.
Domestic workers are included too. The monthly minimum for kasambahay (household helpers) in Cebu, Bohol, Siquijor and Negros Oriental rises by P500, from P7,000 to P7,500.
What It Means in Pesos
The Philippine Star calculated that a worker paid the minimum for 26 days a month would gain about P1,092 in basic monthly pay. Overtime, holiday pay, night differential and 13th-month pay may also rise, subject to existing rules. Check your own pay slip against the new rate once the order takes effect.
Reaction From Labor Groups
Not everyone welcomed the figure. The Philippine Star reported that the Trade Union Congress of the Philippines (TUCP) called the raise "grossly inadequate, deeply insulting, and completely disconnected from the socioeconomic reality." Labor groups had earlier pushed for much larger increases, and a P100 raise was among the proposals discussed during hearings.
The board's own context is high inflation. Central Visayas inflation was reported at 8.1 percent in August 2026, down from 8.7 percent in July. For a broader look at household budgets, see our cost of living comparison for Cebu and Davao.
Exemptions and Enforcement
Micro, small and medium enterprises that cannot afford the increase may apply for exemption under the applicable guidelines, with 75 days from the order's effectivity to file. DOLE is also preparing a programme called Sagip Trabaho under its TUPAD scheme, which would temporarily cover the salaries of workers at eligible small firms during the adjustment period. The programme is still being prepared.
Workers who are not paid the new rate can report it to the DOLE regional office on Gorordo Avenue in Cebu City. DOLE may use its enforcement powers under the Labor Code.
What Job Seekers and Employers Should Do
- Employers: update payroll before October 14 and review whether an exemption applies.
- Workers: confirm your area class (A or B) and keep payslips.
- Job seekers: use the new rates as a benchmark when reading offers; our guide to BPO and call centre jobs in Cebu and finding jobs in Davao can help.
For more regional updates, visit our news section.
Sources
- The Philippine Star: P42 wage hike okd
- Daily Tribune: P42 daily wage hike okayed for CV
- People Matters: Philippines approves P42 wage hike for private sector workers in Central Visayas
Frequently Asked Questions
When does the new Central Visayas minimum wage start?
Reports say it takes effect on October 14, 2026, after the 15-day publication period. Confirm with DOLE-7 if you are unsure.
How much is the new minimum wage in Cebu City?
Cebu City is in Class A, where the daily minimum rises from P540 to P582.
Can small businesses be exempted?
Qualified micro, small and medium enterprises may apply for exemption within 75 days of the order taking effect, under the applicable guidelines.
