A total of 115 representatives from the labor, management, and government sector gathered on 24 August 2026, at the Pavillon Hall of DepEd Ecotech in Sudlon, Lahug, Cebu City, to participate in the public hearing on possible regional minimum wage adjustments.

Led by Chairperson Atty. Roy L. Buenafe and Vice Chairperson Dir. Jennifer Bretaña of the Department of Economy, Planning, and Development (DEPDev), with representatives from the management and labor sectors, the public hearing highlighted the Board’s role in promoting industrial peace while balancing worker protection and economic growth.

Under NWPC Guidelines No. 3, series of 2020, public hearings are a crucial milestone before any official wage adjustment can be deliberated.

Chairperson Atty. Roy L. Buenafe presided over the session, reiterating the board’s commitment to balanced governance while collecting position papers, economic data, and testimonies from key sector groups.

Labor representatives stressed the shrinking purchasing power of workers due to inflation and the rising cost of basic commodities, utilities, and daily transport. Union leaders, namely, Dennis Derige, Jaime Paglinawan, and Kyle Enero, among others, urged the board to implement a timely wage increase to help baseline workers support their families.

Meanwhile, business owners and representatives from micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs) outlined operational challenges caused by rising input costs and overhead. Employers requested that the board evaluate business viability and economic capacity to protect existing jobs and avoid involuntary downsizing.

RTWPB-VII under Atty. Buenafe’s leadership will convene executive sessions to deliberate official testimonies alongside key socio-economic indicators provided by the Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA).