The Regional Tripartite Wages and Productivity Board (RTWPB) of Central
Visayas has issued Wage Order No. ROVII-24, which provides an increase
of P33 in the daily minimum wages of workers in the region.
Published on September 13, 2023, the new wage order will take effect on
October 1, 2023.
According to the wage order, the new daily minimum wages in Class A to C
areas range from P420 to P468 for non-agriculture establishments and
from P415 to P458 for agriculture and non-agriculture establishments with
less than 10 workers.
Class A areas include Cebu City, Mandaue City, Lapu-Lapu City, and the
municipalities of Consolacion and Liloan.
Class B areas include the rest of Cebu province, Bohol province, Negros
Oriental province, and Siquijor province. Class C areas include Bantayan
Island and Camotes Island.
The wage order also provides a P20 increase for workers in Class D areas,
which include the municipalities of Aloguinsan, Alcantara, Alcoy, Alegria,
Badian, Balamban, Bantayan, Barili, Boljoon, Borbon, Carmen, Catmon,
Compostela, Cordova, Daanbantayan, Dalaguete, Dumanjug, Ginatilan,
Madridejos, Malabuyoc, Medellin, Moalboal, Oslob, Pilar, Pinamungajan,
Poro, Ronda, Samboan, San Fernando, San Francisco (Pacijan Island),
San Remigio, Santa Fe (Bantayan Island), Santander, Sibonga, Sogod,
Tabogon, Tabuelan and Tuburan.
The new daily minimum wages in Class D areas range from P365 to P413
for non-agriculture establishments and from P360 to P403 for agriculture
and non-agriculture establishments with less than 10 workers.
The order covers all workers and employees in the private sector in the
region receiving the minimum wage rates regardless of their position or
designation.
However, it does not apply to household or domestic helpers; persons
employed in the personal service of another; and workers of duly registered
Barangay Micro Business Enterprises (BMBEs) with Certificates of
Authority pursuant to Republic Act No. 9178.
RTWPB said that the wage order was issued after considering the socio-
economic conditions of the region as well as the impact of the COVID-19
pandemic on the workers and employers.
The board also said that it conducted public consultations and hearings
with various stakeholders before issuing the wage order.
RTWPB urged all employers to comply with the wage order and to submit a
report of compliance within 30 days from its effectivity date.
The board also warned that any person or entity who refuses or fails to pay
the prescribed wage rates shall be subject to penalties under Republic Act
No. 6727 or the Wage Rationalization Act.