CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY (PIA)—The daily minimum wage in Northern Mindanao increased by P23 for private non-agricultural workers starting January 12, 2025, while agricultural workers received a P23 increase on the same date, with an additional P12 effective July 1, 2025, bringing the total to P35.
This means that the minimum wage for non-agriculture and agriculture by July this year will be the same: P461 for Wage Category 1 and P446 for Category 2.
Wage Category 1 includes the cities of Cagayan de Oro, Iligan, Malaybalay, Valencia, Gingoog, El Salvador, Ozamiz, and the Municipalities of Tagoloan, Villanueva, Jasaan, Opol, Maramag, Quezon, Manolo Fortich and Lugait.
Meanwhile, Wage Category 2 covers all areas outside Wage Category 1, along with retail and service establishments that employ no more than 10 workers.
In a press conference of the Regional Tripartite Wage Board (RTWPB) Region 10, chaired by the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE)-10, this minimum wage rate adjustment for the private sector in Northern Mindanao through Wage Order No. RX-23 went through a series of wage consultations and public hearings attended by representatives from the workers’ and employers’ sectors.
“We took into consideration the poverty threshold in region 10. When we say poverty threshold, that’s the minimum income required to meet the basic needs of our people,” said Mylah Faye Aurora B. Cariño, vice chairperson and regional director of the National Economic Development Authority (NEDA)-10.
Limuel R. Oliverio, labor representative of Mindanao Alliance of Land Transport Unions (MALTU), shared they have come up with this increase to ensure that there is a compromise between employers and workers.
“We have to balance kay kadtong small establishments at least maka-cope up sila nga maintain ang trabaho kay kung gusto lang gyud nato pwede gud. Pwede mulabaw sa P461 pero basta dili mo-ubos sa P461,” Oliverio said.
Meanwhile, Engr. Milbert M. Macarambon, labor representative, All Workers Alliance Trade Unions-Trade Union Congress of the Philippines (AWATU-TUCP) explained they went through the process of consultation from labor to management sector.
“Kanang inflation rate mao pud gihisgutan, isa pud sa criteria nga gi basehan pagpagawas sa wage order,” he said.
(The inflation rate, a key factor in wage order issuance, was also discussed.)
Similarly, domestic workers or Kasambahay in Region 10 will receive a P1,000 increase, raising the minimum monthly wage from P5,000 to P6,000, as mandated by Wage Order RBX-DW-05.
Atty. Joffrey M. Suyao, chairperson and regional director of DOLE 10, announced that starting January 12 this year, the new monthly minimum wage for domestic workers cannot be less than P6,000.
Domestic workers or Kasambahay covers general house helpers, cooks, yaya, gardeners, laundry persons, or any person who regularly performs domestic work in one household on an occupational basis. Those not covered are service providers, family drivers, and children under foster family arrangements. (JMOR/PIA-10)
