By Jasper Marie O. Rucat
CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY (PIA) — Minimum wage earners in the private sector in Northern Mindanao will receive a P39 increase per day under Wage Order No. RX 24, released by the Department of Labor and Employment-Regional Tripartite Wages and Productivity Board (DOLE-RTWPB-10). The adjustment takes effect Jan. 16, 2026.
According to RTWPB-10, the increase will be implemented in two tranches. The first, effective Jan. 16, will add P25, followed by a second tranche of P14 on May 1, bringing the total increase to P39.
The current minimum for wage category I is P461 and will rise to P500. Wage category II, currently P446, will increase to P485.
Wage Category I covers the cities of Cagayan de Oro, Iligan, Malaybalay, Valencia, Gingoog, El Salvador, and Ozamiz; the municipalities of Tagoloan, Villanueva, Jasaan, Opol, Maramag, Quezon, Manolo Fortich, and Lugait. Wage category II includes all areas not listed under Category I, all retail and service establishments employing 10 or fewer workers.
Lawyer Joffrey M. Suyao, chairperson of RTWPB-10 and regional director of DOLE in Northern Mindanao, told reporters at a press conference on Jan. 13 that the wage orders aim to address challenges faced by workers, including rising costs of food, transportation, and necessities.
“While we take a look at those challenges, we also recognize the equally real concerns of employers who must keep their businesses viable, competitive, and sustainable. The wage adjustments that were approved by the wage board are the result of a thorough and transparent process,” Suyao said.
Mylah Faye Aurora B. Cariῆo, vice chairperson of RTWPB-10 and regional director of the Department of Economy, Planning and Development, said the board conducted a review of socio-economic conditions in the region and held public hearings in Ozamiz City, Misamis Occidental, Iligan City, Malaybalay City, Bukidnon, and Cagayan de Oro City in December 2025.
“Kung i- compute nimo ang poverty threshold vis-a-vis katong daan nato nga rate, actually atong wage rates sa una is even a bit higher than the threshold, except for Cagayan de Oro. Pero kita dili man ta gusto nga igo lang mu tongtong sa minimum atong katawhan. Dili nato gusto atong katawhan to simply meet the bare minimum because ang atong gusto is improved welfare for everyone,” she said.
(If you compute the poverty threshold vis-à-vis our previous rate, actually, our wage rates before are even a bit higher than the threshold, except for Cagayan de Oro. But we don’t want our people to reach just the minimum. We don’t want our people to simply meet the bare minimum because what we want is improved welfare for everyone.)
Regarding whether the P500 wage is sufficient, Cariῆo said it depends on the family’s lifestyle. “Whether it is enough or not, really depends on the preference of the households and the lifestyle that people live. Based on evidence, based on available data, our minimum wage is more than meets the minimum threshold,” she said.
RTWPB-10 is mandated under Republic Act 6727 (the Wage Rationalization Act) to periodically assess wage rates and conduct studies to determine the minimum wage applicable in the region or industry. (JMOR/PIA-10)
