As the cost of living rises and inflation continues to affect every Filipino household, understanding the minimum wage in the Philippines has become even more crucial. From Metro Manila to far-flung provinces, workers, employers, and policymakers alike are paying close attention to wage rates and legislative developments that impact the livelihood of millions. For businesses—especially startups and SMEs—navigating wage compliance, compensation planning, and government regulations can be overwhelming.
In this comprehensive guide, we’ll cover the current minimum wage rates in Manila and other regions, the computation process, regional disparities, and the latest updates on the Proposed Nationwide Legislated Wage Hike (as of June 2025).
What is a Minimum Wage?
The minimum wage rates is the lowest daily rate that employers can legally pay their workers. In the Philippines, minimum wage rate are set by Regional Tripartite Wages and Productivity Boards (RTWPBs), which operate under the National Wages and Productivity Commission (NWPC) and the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE).
Unlike countries with a national minimum wage, the Philippines adopts a regionalized system, accounting for:
- Cost of living
- Poverty threshold
- Employment levels
- Business viability in specific areas
Minimum Wage Rates in the Philippines (As of June 2025)
Metro Manila (National Capital Region)
As of June 2025, the daily minimum wage rates in Metro Manila (NCR) are as follows:
- Non-Agriculture Sector: ₱645/day
- Agriculture, Service/Retail, Cottage Industries: ₱608/day
These rates apply to private-sector workers in NCR and reflect the latest minimum wage order issued by RTWPB-NCR.
Regional Daily Minimum Wage Rates and 2025 Updates
The table below outlines the current daily minimum wage rates across Philippine regions, along with any officially announced wage increases for 2025.
|
Region |
Current Daily Minimum Wage |
2025 Wage Adjustment |
|
NCR (Metro Manila) |
₱608 – ₱645 |
No new wage increases announced |
|
Cordillera Administrative Region (CAR) |
₱470 |
No new wage increases announced |
|
Region I – Ilocos Region |
₱435 – ₱468 |
No new wage increases announced |
|
Region II – Cagayan Valley |
₱460 – ₱480 |
No new wage increases announced |
|
Region III – Central Luzon |
₱410 – ₱525 |
Increased to ₱435 – ₱550 effective April 16, 2025 |
|
Region IV-A – CALABARZON |
₱420 – ₱560 |
Adjusted to ₱425 – ₱560 starting April 1, 2025 |
|
Region IV-B – MIMAROPA |
₱404 – ₱430 |
No new wage increases announced |
|
Region V – Bicol Region |
₱395 |
No new wage increases announced |
|
Region VI – Western Visayas |
₱480 – ₱513 |
No new wage increases announced |
|
Region VII – Central Visayas |
₱453 – ₱501 |
No new wage increases announced |
|
Region VIII – Eastern Visayas |
₱390 – ₱420 |
Increased to ₱405 – ₱435 effective June 1, 2025 |
|
Region IX – Zamboanga Peninsula |
₱401 – ₱414 |
No new wage increases announced |
|
Region X – Northern Mindanao |
₱434 – ₱461 |
No new wage increases announced |
|
Region XI – Davao Region |
₱476 – ₱481 |
No new wage increases announced |
|
Region XII – SOCCSKSARGEN |
₱410 – ₱430 |
No new wage increases announced |
|
Region XIII – Caraga |
||
|
BARMM – Bangsamoro Region |
₱316 – ₱361 |
No new wage increases announced |
Computation of Minimum Wage
Standard Formula:
Daily Rate × 26 Workdays = Monthly Wage
For example:
- ₱645/day × 26 = ₱16,770/month
Note: Some companies use 22–27 days/month depending on work schedules, but DOLE uses 26 days as the standard for monthly equivalent computation.
Inclusion of COLA
Some wage orders include Cost of Living Allowance (COLA). COLA may or may not be included in the basic wage depending on how the wage order was written.
Standard Working Hours in the Philippines
The Labor Code of the Philippines defines 8 hours per day or 48 hours per week as the standard for full-time work. This includes:
- A one-hour daily break (usually unpaid)
- A rest period of at least 24 consecutive hours after 6 consecutive days of work
Overtime Pay and Calculations
If an employee works beyond 8 hours, overtime pay must be given. Overtime pay rates vary:
- Regular Overtime: +25% of hourly rate
- Rest Day or Holiday Overtime: +30% of hourly rate on top of holiday premium
Example Calculation:
If the daily rate is ₱645:
- Hourly Rate = ₱645 ÷ 8 = ₱80.63
- Regular OT Pay = ₱80.63 × 1.25 = ₱100.79/hour
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How Does Minimum Wage Apply to Different Workers in the Philippines?
1. Full-Time Employees
Full-time employees must receive no less than the region’s mandated daily minimum wage. They are also entitled to statutory benefits such as holiday pay, service incentive leave, 13th-month pay, and other legally mandated employee benefits.
2. Part-Time Employees
Part-time workers are entitled to a pro-rated minimum wage based on the actual number of hours they work. For instance, if the minimum daily wage in Metro Manila is ₱645 and the employee works only four hours a day, they should receive ₱322.50 for that day.
3. Interns / OJTs
According to CHED and DepEd guidelines, internships that do not establish an employer-employee relationship are typically unpaid. However, some companies voluntarily provide allowances to interns as a form of support.
4. Casual / Probationary Workers
Casual and probationary workers are still covered by minimum wage laws unless specifically exempted under a special wage order. Being on probation does not justify paying an employee less than the legally mandated minimum wage.
5. Expats / Foreign Workers
Employers hiring expatriates must adhere to local wage regulations and ensure compliance with minimum wage laws. In practice, expat compensation is usually significantly higher than the minimum wage due to market demand, specialized skills, and relocation-related expenses.
Proposed Nationwide Legislated Wage Hike (June 2025 Update)
In February 2024, the Senate passed Senate Bill 2534, which proposes a ₱100 per day increase in the minimum wage. This was followed by the House of Representatives passing House Bill 11376 on June 4, 2025, recommending a more substantial ₱200 per day wage hike.
As of now, the proposed measures are awaiting reconciliation by a bicameral conference committee to unify both versions of the bill. However, Congress adjourned on June 11, 2025, before final deliberations could be completed.
If passed and signed into law during the next session, the wage hike could be implemented as early as late 2025 or early 2026, depending on legislative developments and presidential approval.
The proposal has received mixed reactions. The Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) supports the idea of a wage increase but emphasizes the need for regional flexibility to reflect local economic conditions. Business groups have raised concerns about potential inflationary effects and the risk of job losses, especially among micro and small enterprises. On the other hand, labor organizations are advocating for a national living wage between ₱1,200 and ₱1,400 per day, arguing that the proposed increases are still not enough to meet the cost of living.
Minimum Wage History and Trends in the Philippines
Over the years, Metro Manila has seen gradual increases in its minimum wage rates. In 2016, the daily minimum wage stood at ₱481, which rose to ₱537 in 2018. By 2022, it increased to ₱570, then to ₱610 in 2023, and currently sits at ₱645 as of 2024.
Despite these periodic hikes, minimum wage adjustments have generally failed to keep pace with inflation and fall short of estimated living wage levels, particularly for workers supporting families. Significant regional disparities also remain, with a wage gap of over ₱300 between the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region (BARMM) and Metro Manila.
As a result, there is a growing clamor from labor groups and policy advocates for a nationwide standardized living wage that can adequately support the basic needs of Filipino families, regardless of location.
Why Minimum Wage Matters
- Protects vulnerable workers from exploitation.
- Ensures a baseline quality of life.
- Helps reduce poverty and inequality.
- Affects overall economic productivity and inflation trends.
The minimum wage in the Philippines reflects the broader struggle between economic sustainability and social justice. While regional wage setting aims to reflect local realities, many argue that only a national living wage can truly ensure fairness for all Filipino workers.
With the proposed ₱200/day wage hike awaiting final congressional action, workers and employers alike must prepare for change—and advocate for a system that promotes both equity and growth.
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4 Responses
Hello, thanks
Hi Marilou! You’re welcome. Feel free to drop your inquiries.
Hi may i request a rate depend on their position ?
Hi Marilou! Could you please provide more details about your inquiry? If you’re referring to the salary brackets for each position in the company, these typically depend on the company’s internal policies—but they must be at least equal to or higher than the government-mandated minimum wage.