NCR Wage Board Grants ₱50 Daily Minimum Wage Hike
The Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) has issued an advisory confirming a ₱50 increase in the daily minimum wage for workers in the National Capital Region (NCR). This adjustment was approved by the NCR Regional Tripartite Wages and Productivity Board (RTWPB) through Wage Order No. 26.
Below is the updated minimum wage in the NCR starting July 18, 2025.
DOLE Secretary Bienvenido E. Laguesma highlighted that wage boards strive to balance fair wages for workers, reasonable profits for businesses, and goals like employment growth and inflation control.
The NWPC estimates that 1.7 million full-time workers earning above minimum wage may benefit from enterprise-level adjustments to address wage distortions, where new minimum wages overlap with existing rates. NWPC Advisory No. 01, Series of 2023, offers guidance on this.
Employers in NCR are strongly encouraged to review and update their payroll structures to ensure full compliance with the newly mandated wage rates. Failure to comply may lead to administrative penalties and sanctions under existing labor regulations.
It is important to note that certain establishments may be eligible for exemption from the wage increase. These include:
- Enterprises with ten (10) or fewer employees
- Businesses adversely affected by natural or human-induced calamities
- Registered Barangay Micro Business Enterprises (BMBEs) — as they are not covered by minimum wage laws under the BMBE Act
Employers seeking exemption must follow the procedures set by the Regional Tripartite Wages and Productivity Board (RTWPB) and submit the necessary documentation for evaluation.
