The July 9, 2026, consultation in Bacoor City, Cavite drew over 300 stakeholders to address regional wage petitions. Labor groups cited inflation and the widening pay gap with Metro Manila, while employers requested government subsidies to manage new costs. Current CALABARZON daily minimum wages range from PHP508.00 to PHP600.00.
What the July 9 Consultation Covered
The Bacoor consultation is part of a series of public hearings conducted by the wage board to gather input from both labor and employer sectors . Similar consultations are scheduled in Rizal on July 16 and Quezon on July 23 . These hearings provide a venue for stakeholders to share their views and recommendations on proposed wage adjustments .
The current minimum wage rates in CALABARZON, set by Wage Order No. IVA-22, took effect in two tranches on October 5, 2025, and April 1, 2026 . Non-agriculture workers in the Extended Metropolitan Area now receive PHP600 daily, while agriculture workers receive PHP525 . Retail and service establishments employing not more than 10 workers have a minimum wage of PHP508.
The Bigger Picture: Wage Setting in CALABARZON
Labor groups at the consultation cited the rising cost of basic goods and the widening pay gap between CALABARZON and Metro Manila as key reasons for a wage increase. The wage board estimates that 1.3 million minimum wage earners in the region will benefit from any adjustment . The board follows a consultative process involving government, labor, and employer representatives before issuing a new wage order .
Updates and schedules for formal public hearings can be tracked via the RTWPB IV-A Facebook page. While the last wage order adjustment—ranging from P25 to P100—was approved in September 2025 , the current consultations signal the start of a new review cycle. The board emphasizes that stakeholder participation is essential in shaping "fair and responsive wage policies aligned with Calabarzon's current economic conditions" .
