San Fernando, PAMPANGA, January 2, 2023 - The 2^nd tranche of minimum wage increase for workers in Region III took effect on January 1, 2023.

According to DOLE-III Regional Director Geraldine M. Panlilio, this completes the P40 wage increase prescribed under Wage Order No. RBIII-23. In an interview, she emphasized that the wage increase is applicable to all minimum wage earners in the private sector in Central Luzon ‘regardless of their position, designation, or status and irrespective of the method by which their wages are paid.’

Given the effectivity of the wage order’s 2^nd tranche, the daily minimum wage rate for all private sector workers is now PHP460 for non-agriculture establishments with 10 or more workers.

For those with less than 10 workers, it is expected to be PHP453/day.

For firms in the agriculture sector, workers who previously earned PHP420 (plantation) and PHP404 (non-plantation) shall receive PHP430 and PHP414.

Retail and service workers currently earning PHP439 and PHP425 will get the same PHP10 pay hike, making their daily wage at PHP449 and PHP435 in January.

This new wage hike adjustment applies for minimum wage earners in the provinces of Bataan, Bulacan, Nueva Ecija, Pampanga, Tarlac, and Zambales.

Meanwhile, minimum wage earners in Aurora province should also expect a PHP10 increase. Non-agricultural workers are to be paid at least PHP409/day starting January 1.

Retail and service workers in Aurora shall also receive the same increase and be paid at least PHP344 while those in the agriculture sector are also to get higher wages, PHP394 and PHP382 per day for plantation and non-plantation, respectively.

The first tranche of PHP30 daily wage increase under Wage Order No. RBIII-23 took effect on June 20, 2022.##

END/ A. Cunanan