The National Wages and Productivity Commission (NWPC) has affirmed a wage order issued by the Regional Tripartite Wages and Productivity Board for Region X (Northern Mindanao), granting private sector workers in Northern Mindanao a minimum wage increase of P39, effective in two tranches starting Jan. 16, 2026. The wage adjustment covers both non-agriculture and agriculture sectors under Wage Categories I and II. Wage Category I includes key urban centers — Cagayan de Oro, Iligan, Malaybalay, Valencia, Gingoog, El Salvador, and Ozamiz — and surrounding municipalities. Wage Category II applies to all other areas in the region and retail or service establishments employing 10 workers or fewer. Once fully implemented, minimum wages will range from P485 in Wage Category II areas to P500 in Wage Category I. Another wage order providing a P500 monthly increase for domestic workers (kasambahay) in Northern Mindanao was also affirmed, raising their monthly minimum wage to P6,500. Both wage orders were published on Dec. 31, 2025. In 2025, the NWPC issued 14 wage orders for private sector workers across the Philippines, covering the National Capital Region (NCR), Cordillera Administrative Region (CAR), and Regions 1 (Ilocos), 2 (Cagayan Valley), 3 (Central Luzon), 4A (Calabarzon), 4B (Mimaropa), 6 (Western Visayas), 7 (Central Visayas), 8 (Eastern Visayas), 9 (Zamboanga Peninsula), 10 (Northern Mindanao), 12 (Soccsksargen), and 13 (Caraga). Daily minimum wage increases ranged from P20 to P100, and all orders were issued motu proprio, with most receiving unanimous approval from the RTWPBs. The increases take effect after the anniversary of prior wage orders to ensure stability for workers and investors. The NCR continues to have the highest daily minimum wages, ranging from P658 to P695 for private sector workers. Meanwhile, 11 wage orders for domestic workers were issued across CAR and Regions 1, 2, 3, 4B, 6, 7, 8, 10, 12 and 13, with monthly wage increases ranging from P300 to P2,000. Overall, more than 4.5 million private sector workers and 755,000 domestic workers are expected to benefit directly from these adjustments. Additionally, approximately 8 million full-time wage and salary workers earning above the minimum wage may indirectly benefit due to adjustments addressing wage distortions within enterprises. NWPC and the RTWPBs closely monitor regional economic conditions, sectoral performance, and productivity trends in coordination with government agencies including the Department of Economy, Planning and Development, Department of Trade and Industry, Department of Agriculture, Department of Energy, Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas, and the Philippine Statistics Authority. These efforts ensure that wage-setting decisions are responsive, evidence-based, and consistent with ILO standards. In 2025, five RTWPBs — Regions 2, 3, Calabarzon, Mimaropa and 7 — streamlined their wage structures to improve clarity and compliance. Meanwhile, productivity improvement programs and gainsharing schemes were rolled out to support sustainable wage growth, particularly in lower-productivity areas. As of November 2025, 28,115 micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs) benefited from NWPC-led productivity initiatives, impacting 32,211 employers and workers nationwide. Of these, 3,525 MSMEs have successfully implemented action plans, while 1,754 received technical assistance to develop Productivity-Based Incentive Schemes.
