Davao Region Announces Public Hearing for Minimum Wage Review
The Regional Tripartite Wages and Productivity Board-Davao Region (RTWPB-Davao) has officially scheduled a crucial public hearing next month as part of its comprehensive review of minimum wage rates affecting private sector workers and household helpers throughout the region.
Hearing Details and Participation Methods
The significant wage review hearing will take place on February 13, 2026, from 1:00 PM to 5:00 PM. To ensure maximum accessibility and participation from stakeholders across the vast Davao Region, the board has arranged for a hybrid format with simultaneous in-person and virtual components.
The physical venue will be at the Grand Regal Hotel in Davao City, while virtual participation will be facilitated through Zoom. In a statement released on January 28, RTWPB-Davao emphasized the critical importance of stakeholder involvement in the wage-setting process, stating: "RTWPB-XI is inviting all interested parties to attend the public hearing. The input of our stakeholders is important in the process of minimum wage determination."
Those planning to attend virtually are advised to pre-register through the designated online form to receive Zoom access credentials. The board has established clear deadlines for position paper submissions, requiring employers, workers' groups, labor organizations, and other concerned parties to file their documents on or before February 9, 2026.
Current Wage Landscape in Davao Region
RTWPB-Davao conducts these periodic wage reviews under the authority of Republic Act No. 6727, commonly known as the Wage Rationalization Act. This legislation mandates regional wage boards to regularly assess wage levels and determine appropriate minimum wages based on prevailing economic conditions.
Under the current Wage Order No. RB XI-23, which took effect on March 7, 2025, minimum wage earners in the private sector received an additional P29 daily increase. Presently, the daily minimum wage in Davao Region stands at:
- P510 for non-agriculture workers
- P505 for agriculture sector workers
For household workers or kasambahays, the monthly minimum wage is established at:
- P6,000 in chartered cities and first-class municipalities
- P5,000 in other municipalities
Strong Public Support for Wage Adjustments
The upcoming wage review occurs against a backdrop of significant public demand for higher compensation, as escalating prices of basic goods and services continue to pressure household budgets throughout the region and nationwide.
A comprehensive nationwide public opinion survey conducted in August 2025 revealed that 83 percent of Filipinos support wage increases, citing the inadequacy of current wages to meet daily living expenses. This sentiment resonates particularly strongly in Davao Region, where minimum wage levels hover just above P500 per day.
According to the WR Numero Philippine Public Opinion Monitor, an overwhelming 83 percent of respondents favor a proposed P200 daily wage increase, with only 9 percent opposing and 8 percent remaining undecided. Regional breakdown shows:
- 87% support in South Luzon and Metro Manila
- 86% support in the Visayas
- 79% support in Mindanao
- 77% support in North-Central Luzon
Across economic classes, approval remains consistently elevated, with 84 percent of respondents from Classes ABC and D and 83 percent from Class E expressing support. Larger households, particularly those with six or more members, registered the strongest backing for higher wages at 87 percent, highlighting growing concerns about the rising cost of living.
Considerations for Wage Determination
RTWPB-Davao is expected to weigh multiple factors during its deliberations, including comprehensive economic indicators, detailed stakeholder inputs from the public hearing, and prevailing public sentiment. The board's decision following the February hearing could potentially lead to adjustments in regional wage rates that better reflect current economic realities and living requirements.
The hybrid format of the hearing represents a strategic approach to gathering diverse perspectives from across Davao Region's varied economic landscape, ensuring that both urban and rural stakeholders have opportunities to contribute to this important economic discussion.
