FREQENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
2025 Annual Establishment Report on Wages
This is an annual report containing the verified itemized listing of establishments’ labor component, specifying the names of their rank-and-file employees, including learners, apprentices and workers with disabilities who were hired under the terms prescribed in the employment contracts, and their corresponding salaries and wages.
Supervisory and managerial employees are excluded from the report (e.g. Managers, CEOs, COOs, Presidents, Vice-Presidents, and other employees performing managerial or supervisory functions.
Yes, it is required under Article 124 of the Labor Code, as amended by Republic Act No. 6727 or the Wage Rationalization Act. Submission of the report shall be monitored by the DOLE Labor Inspectorate System.
All private establishments (sole proprietorship, partnership, corporations, cooperatives, including government-owned and controlled corporations without original charter or those organized under the Corporation Code of the Philippines) are required to submit this report.
Branches are required to submit individual reports separately from its head office.
The report will be primarily used by the NWPC as input to its continuing efforts to improve the implementation of policies and guidelines on wages, incomes and productivity.
No. Due to the system upgrade, previous login credentials and establishment IDs are no longer valid. All users are required to register anew in the system to gain access and continue with the submission of required information.
Specific information to be collected by the report shall include:
- Establishment’s profile (general information, address, contact information, main economic activity)
- Employment data (number of regular employees, learners and apprentices)
- Employees by basis of payment (number of hourly/daily/monthly paid employees; number of employees with regularly paid cash allowances), and amount of wages/salary and allowances received.
- Establishment’s productivity improvement programs and productivity-based incentive schemes, if any
Report submission shall be within the period 15 May 2026 to 31 August 2026.
The 2025 report shall cover the details of the establishments’ labor component and their corresponding salaries and wages as of 31 December 2025.
Yes, establishments will be required to submit an accomplished Excel file containing the list of employees with their corresponding basic pay and regularly paid cash allowances for verification purposes.
Yes, Excel format is downloadable from the portal.
Please note that previously used Excel templates are no longer applicable, and only the updated prescribed format available in the portal shall be used for submission.
Yes, the Excel file may be submitted/uploaded at a later date, and the information previously inputted therein may likewise be revised, but only until 31 August 2026. Weekly notices will be sent by the system to the establishment and respondent’s indicated email addresses to remind them of the pending submission.
Yes, all information to be collected shall be kept private and confidential and shall be processed according to the principles of transparency, legitimate purpose and proportionality pursuant to the provisions of Republic Act No. 10173 or the Data Privacy Act of 2012.
Simply log in to Annual Establishment Report on Wages online portal through https://aerw.nwpc.dole.gov.ph or through a link in the DOLE Online Compliance Portal at https://reports.dole.gov.ph/, and follow the instructions provided.
Yes, this is allowed. The system validates entries based on the unique tax identification number (TIN) assigned to each branch.
Concerns and technical problems encountered may be sent to: aerw@nwpc.dole.gov.ph or to the Wage Report Hotlines at 8527-5519, 85278011 and 09178630855.
No, online submission of the report will suffice.
Online submission shall now replace the physical/paper submission of the establishments to the Regional Tripartite Wages and Productivity Boards.
Establishments which do not have access to online facilities may go to the nearest RTWPB office so they can be assisted with the encoding of entries.
Yes, but only once prior to the 31 August 2026 deadline. This may be done by logging-in again to the system.
Yes, the entered information is automatically saved, allowing the user to continue completing the required data upon logging in again.
Notice will be sent to the establishment and the respondent’s email confirming the receipt submission.
Said notice of verification should be printed and presented as proof of compliance to Article 124 of the Labor Code, as amended by Republic Act No. 6727 or the Wage Rationalization Act, during inspection by the Department of Labor and Employment.
On Wage System and Policy
The two-tiered wage system is a reform that maintains the mandatory minimum wage setting under R.A. 6727 or the Wage Rationalization Act, as the first tier (Tier 1) and complemented by a voluntary productivity-based pay scheme as the second tier (Tier 2). It was conceptualized in 2010 and implemented in 2012 with the support of social partners.
Mandatory Minimum Wage (Tier 1)
In setting the mandatory minimum wage, the RTWPBs refer to the official data on:
- Poverty threshold (NSCB)
- Prevailing (average) wage rates (Labor Force Survey)
- Socio-economic indicators such as CPI/Inflation, employment, GRDP, among others
- Voluntary Productivity-Based Pay Scheme (Tier 2)
The voluntary productivity-based pay shall be impemented through a labor-management mechanism such as the productivity committee or any similar body.
| levels of productivity | = | real incomes and revenue and profit for enterprises |
Workers’ representation in the Productivity committees ensures fair and reasonable setting of performance criteria, standards, targets and profit sharing scheme among others.
The RTWPBs issue advisories on productivity incentive pay schemes as reference of workers and enterprises in the implementation of productivity improvement and gainsharing programs. The RTWPBs identify priority or growth industries including their supply chain, as the subject of their advisories. Industry players participate in the crafting and issuance of their advisories, including advocacy campaigns and monitoring of its implementation. The advisories shall form part of the Voluntary Codes of Good Practice in the various Regional Industry Tripartite Councils (RITCs) in line with the envisioned industry self-regulation.
The 2TWS will set a genuine floor or minimum wage for better workers protection. The 2TWS will see to it that the minimum wage is slightly above the poverty threshold to help workers and their families meet their basic needs but should not exceed average wage, taking into account employers’ capacity to pay.
The grant of productivity performance-based pay will benefit both workers and employers since it will help raise workers’ standard of living while encouraging workers and enterprises to become more competitive and productive.
Productivity-base pay is voluntary, flexible and negotiable. RTWPBs will issue Productivity-based Pay Advisories on various productivity improvement and incentives schemes, including the performance and outlook of the industry, labor market conditions, and other related indicators as reference in the design of the enterprise’s productivity incentive programs. As necessary, the RTWPBs shall also provide technical assistance to enterprises in the design and implementation of productivity incentives program.
- Needs of workers and their families
- Demand for living wage
- Wage adjustment vis-à-vis Consumer Price Index (CPI)
- Cost of living and changes therein
- Needs of workers and their families
Improvements in standards of living
- Capacity to pay
- Fair return on capital invested and capacity to pay of employers
- Productivity
- Comparable wages and incomes
- Prevailing wage levels
- Prevailing wage levels
- Requirements of economic and social development
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- Need to induce industries to invest in the countryside
- Effects on employment generation and family income
- Equitable distribution of income and wealth along the imperatives of economic social development
Yes, even in the absence of a filed petition for wage increase, Regional Boards can, motu proprio, initiate action or inquiry on whether a wage order should be issued.
A public hearing is required before the Boards can issue a wage order.
The wage-setting function of the Regional Boards is confined to minimum wages.
While across-the-board (ATB) wage increases have been granted in the past, current policy discourages the Boards from granting ATB adjustments as they create more distortions in the labor market which in turn affect adversely the incomes and standard of living of workers and thier families. Specifically:
- ATB wage increases have greater impact on inflation
- ATB wage increases are disincentives to trade unionism
- ATB increases are not consistent with minimum wage fixing mandate of the Boards
Under the Labor Code, private sector workers should receive the applicable minimum wages not lower than those prescribed by the Regional Boards under existing wage orders. At present, the prescribed minimum wages are for normal working hours, which shall not exceed eight hours per day.
For monthly-paid employees
The factor 365 days in a year is used in determining the equivalent annual salary of monthly-paid employees. To compute their EMR, the procedure is as follows:
EMR = Applicable Daily Rate * 365 days / 12
Where 365 days equals:
- 298 days (Ordinary working days)
- 52 days (Sundays/Rest days)
- 12 days (Regular Holidays)
- 3 days (Special days)
- 365 days (Total equivalent number of days/year)
For daily-paid employees
The following formula may be used in computing the EMR of different groups of daily-paid employees for purposes of entitlement to minimum wages and allied benefits under existing laws:
- For those who are required to work everyday, including Sundays or rest days, special days and regular holidays.
EMR = Applicable Daily Rate * 393.50 days / 12
Where 365 days equals:
- 298 days (Ordinary working days)
- 24 days (Regular holidays * 200%)
- 67.60 days (52 Rest days * 130%)
- 3.90 days (3 special days * 130%)
- 393.50 days (Total equivalent number of days/year)
- For those who do not work and are not considered paid on Sundays or rest days.
EMR = Applicable Daily Rate * 313 days / 12
Where 365 days equals:
- 298 days (Ordinary working days)
- 12 days (Regular holidays)
- 3 days (Special days i.e. if considered paid, if actually worked, this is equivalent to 3.9 days)
- *313 days (Total equivalent number of days/year)
*Factor 310 may be used instead of 313 if the 3 special days are not considered paid
- For those who do not work and are not considered paid on Saturdays and Sundays or rest days
EMR = Applicable Daily Rate * 261 days
Where 261 days equals:
- 246 days (Ordinary working days)
- 12 days (Regular holidays)
- 3 days (Special days i.e. if considered paid, if actually worked, this is equivalent to 3.9 days)
- *261 days (Total equivalent number of days/year)
*Factor 258 may be used instead of 261 if the 3 special days are not considered paid
Procedure on Minimum Wage Fixing
Pursuant to NWPC Guidelines No. 03, Series of 2020 or the Omnibus Rules on Minimum Wage Determination (Omnibus Rules), the Board has a maximum of 90 days from the publication of notice of public hearing until deliberation to determine whether a new wage order should be issued.
If after determination based on evidence-based information, the conditions in the region warrant an increase in minimum wage, the Board shall issue a new wage order. Otherwise, the Board shall issue a resolution detailing the reasons why an increase is not yet warranted for the time being.
The Commission adopts the policy of moderate, regular and predictable wage order issuance to avoid potential inflationary impacts and provide enterprises with a stable planning horizon. Thus, the Omnibus Rules provides that no new wage order may be issued within a period of twelve (12) months from effectivity of the current wage order. The Boards, however, shall conduct continuous review of socio-economic conditions in the region and hold consultations as necessary. If the Board finds urgent and reasonable grounds to issue a new wage order within the 12-month period, it shall submit a written justification to the Commission for its immediate review and affirmation and if affirmed, the Board may initiate the minimum wage setting process.
A wage order shall take effect after fifteen (15) days from its publication in at least one (1) newspaper of general circulation in the region.
Yes, any aggrieved party may file an appeal with the Commission within 10 days from the date of publication of the wage order on the ground of grave abuse of discretion on the part of the Board for serious error in the application of law and non-compliance with prescribed guidelines and/or procedures.
The filing of appeal does not operate to stay the wage order unless the party appealing files with the Commission an undertaking with a surety or sureties satisfactory to the latter, for the payment to the employees affected by the wage order of the corresponding increase, in the event such wage order is affirmed.
Should disputes arise as a result of wage distortion, RA 6727 provides for correcting the distortions as follows:
1. In organized firms, the employer and the union shall negotiate to correct the distortion using the grievance procedures in the CBA or, if the dispute remains unresolved, through voluntary arbitration.
2. In unorganized firms, the employers and workers endeavor to correct the distortion. Any dispute is settled by conciliation through the National Conciliation and Mediation Board, or if it remains unresolved, by compulsory arbitration through the National Labor Relations Commission.
This provision for correcting wage distortions is also stipulated in all Wage Orders being issued by the Regional Boards.
1. Pineda Formula
| Previous minimum wage | ||
| Wage distortion adjustment = | ————————– | x Mandated wage Increase |
| Wage of Employee |
2. Pineda-Cruz So Formula
| [ | Previous minimum wage | ] | n | ||
| Wage distortion adjustment = | ————————– | x Mandated wage Increase | |||
| Wage of Employee |
Where : exponent is represented by n
3. Percentile Approach Formula
| Wage distortion adjustment = | Percentile weight of pay group | x Mandated wage Increase |
4. Philippine Construction Supply Formula
| Existing minimum wage | ||
| Wage distortion adjustment = | ————————– | x Mandated wage Increase |
| Formula base range (FBR) |
Where : FBR = Actual wage rate (AWR) + Agreed amount of adjustment
5. Jimenez, Ofreneo, Delas Alas Jr. (JODA) Formula
| Wb – Wa | ||
| Wage distortion adjustment = | ————————– | |
| 2 |
New Daily wage rate = wage distortion adjustment + Wc
Where: Wa = old daily minimum wage
Wb = daily wage of employee (where Wb > Wa, or Wb is above Wa)
Wc = new daily minimum wage
= Wa + mandated wage increase
6. Wirerope Formula
| Existing minimum wage | ||
| Wage distortion adjustment = | ————————– | x (Mandated wage Increase – Creditable Increase) |
| Present wage of employee |
7. Bagtas Approach
| Mandated Wage Increase | ||
| Wage distortion adjustment = | ————————– | x Present wage of employee |
| Existing Minimum Wage |
Coverage of Wage Orders and Exemption
Wage Orders issued by the Boards cover only private sector workers, except for household helpers and persons in the personal employ of another, including family drivers.
Per the Rules on Exemption, the following categories of establishments may be exempted upon application with and as determined by the Board:
- Retail/Service establishment regularly employing not more than ten (10) workers; and
- Establishment adversely affected by natural calamities and/or human-induced disasters.
- Retail/Service Establishment Regularly Employing Not More Than Ten (10) Workers
- engaged in the retail sale of goods and/or services to end users for personal or household use;
- establishment is employing not more than 10 workers for an aggregate of at least six (6) months in a calendar year.
- Establishment Adversely Affected by Natural Calamities and/or Human-Induced Disasters.
- Establishment is located in an area under a state of calamity;
- Calamity occurred within six (6) months prior to the effectivity of the Wage Order. Establishments may still apply if the calamity occurred during the life of the Wage Order but exemption will only be with respect to tranches that are yet to be implemented, if any.
In case an application for exemption is not approved by the Board, the company shall pay the mandated wage increase/allowance to all covered workers retroactive to the date of effectivity of the Wage Order plus simple interest of 1% per month.
The maximum period of exemption that may be granted to qualified applicant establishment is one year only.
An application for exemption together with the supporting documents shall be filed not later than 75 days from the publication of the Wage Order. No extension of filing and submission of required documents will be allowed.
Yes, the decision of the Board on the application for exemption may be appealed to the NWPC within 10 days from date of receipt of the decision.
Grounds for the appeal:
- Non-conformity with the prescribed guidelines and/or procedure on exemption
- Prima facie evidence of grave abuse of discretion on the part of the Board
- Question of law