Legazpi City, Albay – The Regional Tripartite Wages and Productivity Board V (RTWPB V) has issued a new minimum wage increase for private sector workers in the Bicol Region through Wage Order No. RBV-23, which was approved on March 3, 2026 in Legazpi City.

Under the new wage order, all sectors and industries in the region will receive a total wage increase of ₱45.00, to be implemented in two tranches. The first tranche of ₱20.00 will take effect upon the effectivity of the wage order, while the second tranche of ₱25.00 will be implemented starting December 1, 2026.

The wage adjustment was approved following a comprehensive wage review process conducted by the Regional Tripartite Wages and Productivity Board V, which included a series of public consultations and hearings across the region to gather inputs from labor groups, employers, and other stakeholders.

According to Imelda F. Gatinao, Regional Director of the DOLE ROV and Chairperson of the Board, the new wage order aims to balance the welfare of workers and the sustainability of businesses in the region.

“This wage adjustment reflects the Board’s careful consideration of the current socio-economic conditions in the region. The increase is intended to help workers cope with rising costs of living while also taking into account the capacity of enterprises—particularly micro, small, and medium enterprises—to comply,” Gatinao said.

Prior to issuing the wage order, the Board conducted consultations in various provinces and public hearings in key cities to ensure that the perspectives of both labor and management sectors were taken into account in the wage determination process.

The Board also reviewed and analyzed several economic indicators, including the inflation rate, Consumer Price Index, poverty threshold, cost of living, prevailing wage levels, employment data, and regional productivity, among others. These factors serve as key bases for determining appropriate wage adjustments in accordance with Republic Act No. 6727, also known as the Wage Rationalization Act.

Meanwhile, RTWPB V Board Secretary VI, Francia N. Ocmer, emphasized that the Board remains committed to a transparent and evidence-based wage determination process.

“The issuance of Wage Order No. RBV-23 is the result of thorough consultations, careful analysis of economic data, and meaningful dialogue among tripartite partners representing government, labor, and management. This will be published on March 23, 2026 in a newspaper of general circulation in the region,” Ocmer said. The new wage order will take effect on April 8, 2026, or fifteen (15) days after publication.

The Regional Tripartite Wages and Productivity Board V encourages employers and workers to stay informed about the provisions of the new wage order and remains ready to provide assistance and clarification regarding its implementation.