Labor groups in Central Visayas have criticized the approved ₱42 daily minimum wage increase, with some groups calling for significantly higher wage adjustments.
The National Wages and Productivity Commission affirmed the Region 7 wage order, which will raise the daily minimum wage in Class A areas from ₱540 to ₱582 and in Class B areas from ₱500 to ₱542 starting October 14.
The wage increase covers expanded Metro Cebu under Class A, while Class B includes areas outside expanded Metro Cebu in Cebu province, as well as Bohol, Negros Oriental, and Siquijor.
AMA Sugbo-KMU said the ₱42 increase remains inadequate amid the cost of basic necessities and the wage gap between Central Visayas and the National Capital Region.
Partido Manggagawa and Sentro separately called for larger wage adjustments, with one group seeking a ₱200 legislated increase and another pushing for a ₱1,200 national minimum wage.
Source: PhilNews24 | September 29, 2026
