2026 Philippines Minimum Wage Guide: Cebu Rates Rise to PHP542-PHP582 on October 14

Etc. ・ 2026-09-29 ・ 0 comments

Updated September 29, 2026

A new minimum wage increase has been approved for Cebu and other areas covered by Wage Order No. ROVII-27. Starting October 14, 2026, the daily minimum wage for covered private-sector workers will increase to PHP542-PHP582. The minimum monthly wage for kasambahays will also rise to PHP7,500.

Minimum wages in the Philippines are not set at one nationwide rate. Instead, wage levels vary by region and, in some cases, by industry, business size, or location.

In Cebu, minimum wage rates are determined by the Regional Tripartite Wages and Productivity Board VII (RTWPB-VII).

As of September 29, 2026, the daily minimum wage for covered private-sector workers in Cebu and other areas under the current wage order remains PHP500-PHP540 per day.

Under the new Wage Order No. ROVII-27, the rates will increase to PHP542-PHP582 starting October 14, 2026.

Cebu Philippines minimum wage rates 2026 update

Cebu Minimum Wage to Rise to PHP542-PHP582 on October 14

RTWPB-VII issued Wage Order No. ROVII-27, which provides a new minimum wage increase for covered private-sector workers.

The Wage Order was issued on September 14, 2026 and published in The Freeman on September 28. The new minimum wage rates will take effect on October 14, 2026.

Both Class A and Class B workers will receive a PHP42 increase in the daily minimum wage.

Class A

PHP582 per day

Up from PHP540, an increase of PHP42

This includes the cities of Carcar, Cebu, Danao, Lapu-Lapu, Mandaue, Naga and Talisay, together with the municipalities of Compostela, Consolacion, Cordova, Liloan, Minglanilla and San Fernando under Expanded Metro Cebu.

Class B

PHP542 per day

Up from PHP500, an increase of PHP42

The Class B rate applies to other covered cities and municipalities not included under Class A.

Important: As of September 29, 2026, the rates under Wage Order No. ROVII-26 remain in effect at PHP500-PHP540 per day. The new PHP542-PHP582 rates under Wage Order No. ROVII-27 will take effect on October 14, 2026.

How Much Will the Minimum Wage Increase?

Class A: PHP540 → PHP582 per day

Increase: PHP42

Class B: PHP500 → PHP542 per day

Increase: PHP42

This means that workers covered by the Class A rate in Expanded Metro Cebu, including Cebu City, Lapu-Lapu City and Mandaue City, will have a daily minimum wage of PHP582.

Other covered cities and municipalities under Class B will have a daily minimum wage of PHP542.

Negros Oriental and Siquijor Are Also Covered by the New Wage Order

There is an important regional classification to note. Negros Oriental and Siquijor are now part of the Negros Island Region (NIR), rather than Central Visayas.

However, the NWPC states that the cities and municipalities in Negros Oriental and Siquijor remain covered by Wage Order No. ROVII-27 and are classified under Class B for this wage adjustment.

Key point: Although Negros Oriental and Siquijor are now part of the Negros Island Region, they remain covered under Wage Order No. ROVII-27 at the Class B minimum wage rate.

Minimum Wage for Kasambahays to Rise to PHP7,500

A new wage order has also been issued for kasambahays, or domestic workers. Under Wage Order No. ROVII-DW-06, the monthly minimum wage will increase from PHP7,000 to PHP7,500.

The PHP500 increase will take effect on October 14, 2026.

Until October 13, 2026

PHP7,000 per month

Starting October 14, 2026

PHP7,500 per month

PHP500 increase

The new domestic worker rate applies to covered areas in Central Visayas as well as Negros Oriental and Siquijor.

Kasambahays include general house helpers, yayas, cooks, gardeners, laundry workers and other individuals who regularly perform household work on an occupational basis.

Important: Service providers, family drivers and individuals who perform household work only occasionally or sporadically may fall outside the coverage of the kasambahay minimum wage rules.

Metro Manila Minimum Wage Is PHP718-PHP755 Per Day

In the National Capital Region (NCR), Wage Order No. NCR-28 took effect on September 26, 2026.

The Wage Order increased the daily minimum wage by PHP60.

Non-Agricultural Workers

PHP755 per day

Up from PHP695, an increase of PHP60

Agriculture and Certain Small Establishments

PHP718 per day

Up from PHP658, an increase of PHP60

The PHP718 rate applies to agricultural workers, workers in retail or service establishments employing 15 workers or fewer, and workers in manufacturing establishments regularly employing fewer than 10 workers.

What About Wage Order NCR-27?

Earlier in 2026, Wage Order No. NCR-27 provided for a total PHP85 increase in the Metro Manila minimum wage upon full implementation of its two tranches.

However, according to the NWPC, Wage Order NCR-27 remains subject to continuing litigation before RTC Pasig Branch 152 and RTC Navotas Branch 287.

As of September 29, 2026: The rates currently in effect under Wage Order NCR-28 are PHP755 per day for non-agricultural workers and PHP718 per day for agriculture and certain small establishments.

Cebu vs. Metro Manila Minimum Wage

Because the Philippines uses a regional wage-setting system, minimum wage rates can differ significantly between Cebu and Metro Manila.

Expanded Metro Cebu: PHP540 per day until October 13, 2026

Expanded Metro Cebu: PHP582 per day starting October 14, 2026

Metro Manila, non-agricultural sector: PHP755 per day effective September 26, 2026

Even within the Philippines, the minimum wage that applies to a worker depends on the location of the establishment and the classification provided under the applicable wage order.

How the New Cebu Wage Increase Was Decided

RTWPB-VII conducted wage consultations and public hearings in Cebu, Bohol and other covered areas during 2026, involving representatives from labor, management, government and other stakeholders.

Following the wage determination process, Wage Order No. ROVII-27 was issued on September 14, 2026.

It was published on September 28, with the new minimum wage rates taking effect on October 14, 2026.

Rates effective October 14, 2026

Class A: PHP582 per day

Class B: PHP542 per day

Kasambahays: PHP7,500 per month

How Minimum Wages Are Set in the Philippines

The Philippines uses a regional wage-setting system rather than one nationwide minimum wage.

The National Wages and Productivity Commission (NWPC), under the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE), oversees the country's wage policy framework. Regional Tripartite Wages and Productivity Boards determine minimum wage rates for the areas under their jurisdiction.

Rates may vary depending on the region, location, industry, size of the establishment and other classifications provided under a specific Wage Order.

Employers should always check the latest applicable Wage Order for their business location and classification. Workers who want to confirm the minimum wage that applies to them should also refer to the latest official DOLE, NWPC and RTWPB information.