The Regional Tripartite Wages and Productivity Board IV-A (RTWPB IV-A), in coordination with the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) Quezon Provincial Office, successfully conducted the 3rd Public Consultation on the Proposed Minimum Wage Adjustment for the Formal Sector and Domestic Workers in Tayabas City, Quezon last 23 July 2026.

More than 200 stakeholders from the labor, management, domestic workers, and government sectors participated in the 3rd Public Consultation on the Proposed Minimum Wage Adjustment for the Formal Sector and Domestic Workers in the region.

The public consultation was held as part of the Board’s continuing review of existing wage levels and its evaluation of the need for a minimum wage adjustment in the region.

Representatives from the labor sector emphasized that the current minimum wage is no longer sufficient to meet the daily needs of workers and their families due to the continuous increase in the prices of basic commodities, transportation costs, and other essential expenses.

Labor representatives from the agriculture sector and remote communities also highlighted the unique challenges faced by provincial workers. They cited rising transportation expenses, including student fares reaching ₱25 for a short three-kilometer trip, as well as the higher cost of basic goods in remote areas resulting from longer supply chains.

The labor sector likewise called for an increase in the minimum wage to ₱1,250 and advocated for the establishment of a unified national minimum wage. According to the sector, regional wage differences are no longer practical because the prices of goods and other basic necessities have become nearly the same across different parts of the country.

Meanwhile, representatives from the management sector expressed concern that a substantial and immediate wage increase could create a domino effect on businesses. They explained that significantly higher operating costs could compel some establishments to reduce their workforce or cease operations altogether.

Management representatives further noted that businesses, particularly those engaged in the food processing and agricultural sectors in Quezon, may have to pass increased labor costs on to consumers through higher product prices. As a result, the intended benefits of a wage increase could be diminished by the corresponding rise in the cost of goods.

The management sector also emphasized that any wage adjustment should take into account the province’s capacity to attract new investments and sustain business growth, stressing that maintaining a stable economic environment is essential for long-term job creation.

The consultation also covered the current monthly minimum wage of ₱6,750 for domestic workers (kasambahays) in Region IV-A. The Board noted that the wage rate for domestic workers is likewise under continuous review as part of its ongoing evaluation of possible wage adjustments in light of changing economic conditions.

The consultation served as a platform for stakeholders to express their views and recommendations on the proposed wage adjustment. The Board listened to the concerns of each sector and collected their suggestions to help guide its review and decision-making process. (Ma. Khelly Ann J. Victoriano)