By William Agda
Minimum wage earners in the Caraga Region are set to receive a PHP50 daily wage increase starting January 2025, the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) announced on Monday.
The Regional Tripartite Wages and Productivity Board (RTWPB) approved the wage order on December 13, with the increase to be implemented in two tranches. The first tranche will take effect on January 2, 2025, raising the daily minimum wage from PHP385 to PHP415 across all sectors. The second tranche, set for May 1, 2025, will further increase the rate to PHP435.
The wage adjustment is expected to directly benefit 65,681 minimum wage earners in Caraga, providing relief to workers amid rising living costs.
In addition to private sector workers, domestic workers or “kasambahay” in the region will also see a wage increase. Their monthly minimum wage will rise by PHP1,000, from PHP5,000 to PHP6,000. This adjustment is expected to benefit 32,866 domestic workers, about 24 percent of whom are live-in household helpers.
Both wage orders will be officially published on Tuesday and will take effect 15 days after publication, or on January 2, 2025. The DOLE emphasized the importance of the wage hike in improving workers’ livelihoods and addressing economic challenges in the region.