Four Stops, One Important Wage Discussion
GENERAL SANTOS CITY- The October 6 hearing in General Santos City concluded a series of four public hearings conducted by RTWPB-XII. The earlier sessions took place in South Cotabato on September 21, Cotabato on September 23, and Sultan Kudarat on September 29, 2026. According to the National Wages and Productivity Commission, a total of 369 participants from government, labor, management, unions, and the domestic-worker sector attended the four hearings. The process gave different groups an opportunity to present their concerns and proposals for consideration in the regional wage-setting process.
Why Wage Determination Requires More Than One Perspective
Minimum wage deliberations involve weighing workers' need for adequate earnings against the financial realities faced by employers. Employees and labor representatives have raised concerns about keeping wages in step with the cost of living, while business representatives have emphasized the importance of considering operating expenses and the ability of enterprises to maintain employment. These competing considerations help explain why wage determination requires consultations and an examination of economic information rather than a decision based on a single concern. The regional wage board's task is to assess the submissions and relevant data before determining whether a new wage order is justified.
Consultation Is Not the Same as a Wage Increase
The completion of the public hearings marks the end of this stage of gathering views, but it should not be mistaken for an announcement of a new minimum wage. The NWPC's official Region XII wage page lists the existing daily minimum rates for private-sector workers at PHP 443 for agriculture and PHP460 for non-agriculture, retail, and service establishments, following the second tranche effective December 15, 2025. For domestic workers, the existing minimum monthly wage is PHP 6,000 under Wage Order No. RB XII-DW-05, effective November 2, 2025. Workers and employers should consult official announcements from RTWPB-XII and the NWPC for any subsequent wage order, its approved rates, and its effective date.
