Visayas labor groups seek P250 daily wage hike

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September 6, 2026 | 12:00am

BACOLOD CITY, Philippines — Labor groups in Negros Occidental and Panay Island in the Visayas are seeking an increase of P250 in the daily minimum wage, according to the Regional Tripartite Wages and Productivity Board.

RTWPB-Western Visayas spokesman Mark Vernon Dioquino said the board has received the groups’ petition, and has started conducting consultations among representatives of the government, labor, and business sectors.

The proposed wage increase covers workers across Western Visayas including Aklan, Antique, Capiz, Iloilo and Guimaras as well as Negros Occidental, which remains under the jurisdiction of the RTWPB-Western Visayas.

The newly-formed Negros Island Region has yet to create its own regional wage board or the RTWPB-NIR.

Dioquino said employers have yet to submit a reply to the proposal.

He said the board would consider economic indicators, the cost of living, and the capacity and viability of businesses and industries before deciding on the petition.

While no final date was set, Dioquino said the RTWPB-Western Visayas might come up with a decision on Nov. 19.