Northern Mindanao Approves Wage Increases for Private and Domestic Workers

In a move to boost the earnings of workers in Northern Mindanao, the regional wage board has approved significant salary hikes for both private sector employees and domestic workers, effective from next month. The National Wages and Productivity Commission (NWPC) announced that Wage Order No. RX-23 will increase daily wages by PHP23 for non-agricultural workers and PHP35 for those in the agricultural sector, to be implemented in two phases. This adjustment will elevate the minimum wage to PHP461 for Wage Category 1 and PHP446 for Wage Category 2. Cities such as Cagayan de Oro, Iligan, Malaybalay, Valencia, Gingoog, El Salvador, and Ozamiz, along with several municipalities including Opol, Tagoloan, Villanueva, Jasaan, Maramag, Quezon, Manolo Fortich, and Lugait, fall under Wage Category 1. Other areas and small retail and service businesses with up to 10 employees are categorized under Wage Category 2. Additionally, Wage Order RX-DW-05 has been issued to raise the monthly minimum wage for domestic workers by PHP1,000, setting the new minimum at PHP6,000, up from the current PHP5,000. These new wage orders will take effect on January 12, 2025.