Eastern Visayas Minimum Wage Hike: Region VIII Workers to Receive ₱35 Increase Starting December 2025

TACLOBAN CITY, LEYTE – Minimum wage earners in the private sector and domestic workers across Eastern Visayas (Region VIII) will see a significant increase in their daily pay starting December 8, 2025. The National Wages and Productivity Commission (NWPC) and the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) have officially approved and published new wage directives for the region.

The new mandates, Wage Order No. VIII-25 for the private sector and Wage Order No. VIII-DW-06 for domestic workers (kasambahay), aim to help workers cope with the cost of living across the provinces of Leyte, Southern Leyte, Samar, Eastern Samar, Northern Samar, and Biliran.

Wage Order No. VIII-25: A Two-Tranche Implementation

For workers in the non-agriculture, agriculture, service, and retail sectors, a total increase of ₱35.00 per day has been approved. This increase will be implemented in two distinct tranches to allow businesses time to adjust.

First Tranche: Effective December 8, 2025

The first tranche provides an immediate increase of ₱17.00 per day across all sectors.

Second Tranche: Effective June 1, 2026

The second tranche provides the remaining ₱18.00 per day, completing the full ₱35.00 adjustment.

New Daily Minimum Wage Rates in Eastern Visayas

The following table details the breakdown of the new wage rates upon the implementation of both tranches:

Wage Order No. VIII-DW-06: Increases for Domestic Workers

Domestic workers in Region VIII will also benefit from an increase in their monthly minimum salaries under Wage Order No. VIII-DW-06, effective December 8, 2025.

• Chartered Cities and First-Class Municipalities: The monthly minimum wage increases by ₱400.00, moving from ₱6,000.00 to ₱6,400.00.

• Other Municipalities: The monthly minimum wage increases by ₱300.00, moving from ₱5,500.00 to ₱5,800.00.

Geographic Coverage and Compliance

These wage orders apply to all minimum wage earners in the private sector within Region VIII, regardless of their position, designation, or status, and irrespective of the method by which their wages are paid.

The covered areas include:

Provinces:

• Biliran

• Leyte

• Southern Leyte

• Samar (Western Samar)

• Eastern Samar

• Northern Samar

Major Cities:

• Tacloban

• Ormoc

• Baybay

• Maasin

• Catbalogan

• Borongan

• Calbayog

Both wage orders were issued on November 10, 2025, and officially published in the Leyte Samar Daily Express on November 22, 2025.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Q: When does the minimum wage increase in Eastern Visayas start? A: The first increase takes effect on December 8, 2025.

Q: How much is the total increase for private sector workers? A: The total increase is ₱35.00 per day, given in two parts: ₱17.00 in December 2025 and ₱18.00 in June 2026.

Q: What is the minimum wage in Tacloban City starting December 8, 2025? A: For non-agriculture and large service/retail establishments (more than 10 workers), the rate will be ₱452.00. For agriculture, cottage/handicraft, and small retail (1-10 workers), the rate will be ₱422.00.

Q: How much is the new monthly salary for a Kasambahay in Ormoc or Tacloban? A: As chartered cities, the new monthly minimum wage for domestic workers in Ormoc and Tacloban will be ₱6,400.00 starting December 8, 2025.

Reference: Region VIII – National Wages and Productivity Commission