The Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) is urging the National Wages and Productivity Commission (NWPC) to prioritize tripartism across the country. In a statement, Labor Secretary Francis Tolentino said that only through tripartism can the Philippines ensure fair wages for workers in all regions.
Tolentino emphasizes tripartism in wage review
“In the days ahead when we review the proposed wage hikes, I hope that the NWPC would still retain, foster, and strengthen the tenet of tripartism,” Tolentino said. “We need to strengthen and intensify the relationship between the employer, worker, and government sectors,” he added.
Recently, the NWPC began the 2026-2027 minimum wage review cycle with the issuance of a new wage order for Metro Manila workers amounting to P85.
TUCP challenges government on wage levels
In a related development, the Trade Union Congress of the Philippines (TUCP) challenged the National Government on Sunday, July 5, 2026, to ensure that the labor sector receives upper-middle income wages, now that the country is classified as an upper-middle income country. In a statement, TUCP said it is unacceptable for the Philippines to have lower-middle income workers after the World Bank reclassified the Philippines.
“We cannot celebrate being an upper-middle income country while millions of Filipino workers continue to live on low wages,” said TUCP. “It does not make any sense for our economic managers to boast of this higher national status while continuing to shortchange workers,” it added.
Last week, the Philippines was reclassified as an upper-middle income country by the World Bank after its per capita gross national income exceeded the threshold for the higher income category. (Anton Banal/SunStar Philippines)
