The Regional Tripartite Wages and Productivity Board-VII (RTWPB-VII) convened its second and third public consultations in Bogo City, Cebu on 09 July 2026 and Tagbilaran City, Bohol on 15 July 2026 respectively as part of preparations for the possible minimum wage adjustments in the region.

In Bogo City, the public consultation was held at Don Celestino Martinez Sr. Sports Complex in Barangay Taytayan.

Labor representatives expressed frustration over what they described as an outdated daily minimum wage structure, which currently stands at ₱540 for Class A areas and ₱500 for Class B areas.

Meanwhile, employer representatives noted that while they deeply empathize with their workers’ household expenses, small businesses are simultaneously battling rising logistics costs, electricity prices, and raw material inflation.

Atty. Roy L. Buenafe, DOLE Regional Director and Chairperson of RTWPB ROVII, explained that while the Board is actively analyzing economic data from the Philippine Statistics Authority and the Department of Trade and Industry, the process must strictly adhere to statutory guidelines. He likewise, reminded attendees that the consultations gather stakeholder sentiments but do not yet mark the formal, legal commencement of wage-setting.

In Tagbilaran City, the public consultation was held at the Tagbilaran City Hall Atrium, Tagbilaran City, Bohol.

At the open forum, labor representatives highlighted that the region’s current minimum wage structure has been heavily eroded by high inflation, especially rising costs of food, utilities, and transport.

Representatives from local chambers of commerce and business groups countered that while they understand the plight of workers, any wage adjustment must be gradual and data-driven to prevent inflation from spiraling or forcing smaller establishments to close.

The RTWPB-VII reiterated its objective to gather empirical data and hear direct stakeholder sentiments to balance worker welfare with business sustainability. He emphasized that the goal was not to determine a “winner between labor and management today, but to embrace tripartism, which means acting as partners rather than adversaries.

“Our objective is to co-create a balanced, data-driven, and sustainable wage order that protects the purchasing power of our workers while ensuring that businesses can continue to operate, grow, and keep Boholanos employed,” Chairperson Buenafe said.

A fourth and last public consultation will be held on 05 August in Balamban, Cebu.

The RTWPB-VII will continue to gather position papers and hold subsequent public hearings across Central Visayas before deliberating on whether to issue a new wage order.

The formal minimum wage determination process will officially begin once the Board publishes a Notice of Public Hearing and transitions into official regulatory hearings.

A final decision on whether a new Wage Order will be issued is expected later this quarter, following the conclusion of the provincial circuit. (Atty. Jess Russel F. Jumalon)