Western Visayas Wage Hike 2026: New Minimum Wage Rates, Start Date
Minimum wage earners in Western Visayas and Negros Occidental get a P40 to P45 daily raise. See the new rates, kasambahay pay and when it takes effect.
Summary: The National Wages and Productivity Commission (NWPC) has affirmed a P40 to P45 daily minimum wage increase for private sector workers in Western Visayas, including Negros Occidental and Bacolod City. Kasambahay in the region will also get a P500 monthly increase.
Minimum wage earners in Region 6 are set to receive higher pay this month. Labor Secretary Francis Tolentino, who chairs the NWPC, confirmed on Tuesday, Nov. 3, that the commission affirmed Wage Order No. VI-30, which the Regional Tripartite Wages and Productivity Board (RTWPB) 6 approved on Oct. 21. A separate order, Wage Order No. VI-DW-08, covers domestic workers. According to the NWPC, the wage order was set for publication on Nov. 4 and will take effect on Nov. 19, 2026, Inquirer reported.
What happened
The RTWPB-6 sets minimum wages for Western Visayas and Negros Occidental. Its new order was reviewed and affirmed by the NWPC, the national body attached to the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE). Wage orders take effect 15 days after they are published in a newspaper of general circulation.
Tolentino said the board weighed inflation, the cost of living, the peso's purchasing power, workers' needs and employers' capacity to pay, The Manila Times reported. RTWPB-6 chairman and DOLE Region 6 director Sixto Rodriguez Jr. described the order as "a job-preserving balance" for the region's economy.
New daily minimum wage rates
| Sector | Old rate | Increase | New rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| Non-agriculture, industrial and commercial (more than 10 workers) | P550 | +P40 | P590 |
| Non-agriculture (10 or fewer workers) | P525 | +P40 | P565 |
| Agriculture | P520 | +P45 | P565 |
Kasambahay (domestic workers): the monthly minimum wage rises by P500, from P6,500 to P7,000.
Reports differ on how many workers will benefit. Inquirer cited about 193,000 private sector minimum wage earners and 161,000 domestic workers, while The Manila Times reported around 214,757 minimum wage earners and 68,000 kasambahay. Check DOLE Region 6's official releases for final figures.
What it means for you
If you are a minimum wage earner in Western Visayas, your daily pay should go up starting on the effective date. For example, a non-agricultural worker in a large establishment who works 26 days a month would earn about P1,040 more per month (P40 x 26 days). An agricultural worker on the same schedule would get about P1,170 more (P45 x 26 days).
For employers, compliance becomes mandatory once the order takes effect. Rodriguez encouraged businesses to adjust pay voluntarily ahead of the effective date to avoid disputes, and DOLE Region 6 said it will conduct workplace inspections to check compliance, Daily Tribune reported.
What to do / key dates
- Oct. 21, 2026 – RTWPB-6 approved the wage orders.
- Nov. 3, 2026 – NWPC affirmation confirmed by DOLE.
- Nov. 4, 2026 – Scheduled publication of the wage order.
- Nov. 19, 2026 – Scheduled effectivity of the new rates.
- Workers: Check your payslip for the first pay period covering Nov. 19 onward and confirm that your daily rate matches the new table.
- Kasambahay and employers of kasambahay: Adjust the monthly salary to at least P7,000 once the domestic worker order takes effect.
- Employers: Update payroll systems now and review if the increase affects related pay, such as overtime and holiday pay, which are computed from the daily rate.
- Concerns: If you are not paid the new minimum, you may raise the matter with your employer first, then seek assistance from the nearest DOLE Region 6 field office.
FAQs
When does the Western Visayas wage hike take effect?
The NWPC said the wage order is set to take effect on Nov. 19, 2026, 15 days after its scheduled publication on Nov. 4.
Does the increase cover Negros Occidental and Bacolod City?
Yes. Wage Order No. VI-30 covers Western Visayas, including Negros Occidental and Bacolod City.
How much is the new kasambahay minimum wage in Western Visayas?
Under Wage Order No. VI-DW-08, the monthly minimum wage for domestic workers rises from P6,500 to P7,000.
This article is for general information only. For specific cases, refer to the official wage order or consult DOLE.
Sources
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