The National Wages and Productivity Commission (NWPC) has firmly denied allegations of a delay in the ongoing minimum wage determination process for the Davao and Bicol regions. The commission labeled claims that workers are being made to wait unnecessarily as "misleading."
Clarification Amid Worker Concerns
This official statement, released on January 16, 2026, serves as a direct response to concerns raised by the Federation of Free Workers earlier in the month. On January 11, the labor group had urged that workers in Davao and Bicol should not have to endure a prolonged wait for wage adjustments, especially given the persistent rise in the cost of living.
The NWPC emphasized that labor representatives serving on the regional wage boards, together with officials from the Regional Tripartite Wages and Productivity Boards (RTWPBs) in both areas, are fully aware of the governing timelines and regulations.
Strict Adherence to Legal Timelines
The commission pointed to the Omnibus Rules on Minimum Wage Determination as the guiding framework. According to these rules, regional boards are required to initiate the wage review process within a 60-day window before the anniversary date of the last wage order. This action can be taken either on the board's own initiative or following a formal petition.
The NWPC provided specific dates to support its position. The anniversary of the most recent wage order in Davao region is March 7, 2025, which means the 60-day review period commenced on January 6, 2026. For the Bicol region, the anniversary falls on April 5, 2026, setting the start of its review window for February 4, 2026.
"These timelines fall squarely within what the rules require," the commission asserted, confirming that the process is proceeding exactly as mandated by law.
Next Steps and Recent Wage History
In line with this schedule, the Davao Regional Tripartite Wages and Productivity Board has already set a public hearing on proposed wage adjustments for February 4, 2026. This hearing will cover both private sector workers and domestic workers (kasambahay), fulfilling the board's duty under Republic Act No. 6727, the Wage Rationalization Act.
The NWPC reiterated that it, along with the regional boards, continuously assesses economic conditions to issue "timely and evidence-based" wage adjustments. The goal is to balance the needs of workers with the capacity of employers, all within the legal framework.
Looking back at the latest wage orders, the Davao board previously approved increases through two key orders:
- For domestic workers (Wage Order No. RBXI-DW-03), the monthly minimum wage rose to P6,000 in chartered cities and first-class municipalities and P5,000 in other areas, effective March 6, 2024.
- For other minimum wage earners, a P38 daily increase was implemented in two tranches: P19 effective March 6, 2024 (Wage Order No. RBXI-22), and a second P19 effective September 1, 2024.
These adjustments set the current daily minimum wage in the Davao region at P481 for non-agriculture workers and P476 for agriculture workers.
