The minimum wage in the Philippines is an important topic that affects millions of workers in the country. Prices of basic necessities, especially food, have increased during the pandemic. Many people have been struggling to budget their salaries to keep them going. It’s not easy, since most Filipinos are earning below the minimum.
In this article, we will discuss what the minimum wage is, how it is determined, and the current state of the minimum wage in the Philippines. If you are interested in the daily minimum wage in the Philippines in 2023, you can refer to the table below.
Contents
What is the minimum wage?
The minimum wage is the lowest amount of money that an employer is legally required to pay their employees. This wage is set by the government to ensure that workers receive a fair and livable wage for their work. The minimum wage applies to all workers, including full-time, part-time, and contractual workers.
What is the Minimum Wage in 2023 in the Philippines?
In Region 7, there is an additional P31/day reaching the new minimum wage in the Central Visayas to P435. While in Region 4A, an additional P97 making the minimum wage in Calabarzon P470. See the complete list below.
The table shows the daily minimum wage per region in the Philippines for private sectors. (As of March 2023) Regional minimum wage rates are the lowest rates an employer can pay his workers. Here is a minimum wage PDF Copy
| Region | Wage Increase | Effectivity Date | New Minimum Wage Range (Non-Agriculture) |
| NCR (Wage Order No. NCR 23) | P33-P50 | June 4, 2022 | P533-P570 |
| NCR (Updated) Wage Order No. NCR-24 | P40 | July 16, 2023 | P610 |
| CAR | P50-P60 | June 14, 2022 | P400 |
| Region I | P60-P90 | June 6, 2022 | P372-P400 |
| Region 2 | P50-P75 | June 8, 2022 | P375-P400 |
| Region 3 | P40 | June 20, 2022 | P344-P460 |
| Region 4A | P35 to P50 | September 24, 2023 | P385 to P520 |
| Region 4B | P35 | June 10, 2022 | P329-P355 |
| Region 5 | P55 | June 18, 2022 | P365 |
| Region 6 | P55-P110 | June 5, 2022 | P410-P450 |
| Region 7 | P33 | October 1, 2023 | P420 to P468 |
| Region 8 | P50 | June 27, 2022 | P345-P375 |
| Region 9 | P35 | June 25, 2022 | P338-P351 |
| Region 10 | P40-P47 | June 18, 2022 | P378-P405 |
| Region 11 | P47-P62 | June 19, 2022 | P438-P443 |
| Region 12 | P32 | June 9, 2022 | P347-P368 |
| Region 13 | P30 | June 6, 2022 | P350 |
| BARMM | P16 | July 21, 2022 | P306-P341 |
You can compare the difference in the Minimum Wage from the year 2021. Refer to the table below.
Minimum Wage Philippine 2021
| Region | Non- Agriculture | Agriculture (Plantation) | Agriculture (Non-Plantation) | Date of Effectivity |
| NCR | 500-537 | 500 | 500 | November 22, 2018 |
| CAR | 340-350 | 340-350 | 340-350 | November 18, 2019 |
| Region 1 | 282-340 | 295 | 282 | April 30, 2019 |
| Region 2 | 370 | 345 | 345 | March 16, 2020 |
| Region 3 | 369-420 | 354-390 | 342-374 | January 1, 2020 |
| Region 4A | 317-400 | 303-372 | 303-372 | April 28, 2018 |
| Region 4B | 294-320 | 294-320 | 294-320 | November 27, 2018 |
| Region 5 | 310 | 310 | 310 | September 21, 2018 |
| Region 6 | 310-395 | 315 | 315 | November 26, 2019 |
| Region 7 | 356-404 | 351-394 | 351-394 | January 5, 2020 |
| Region 8 | 325 | 295 | 295 | August 18, 2019 |
| Region 9 | 316 | 303 | 303 | July 30, 2018 |
| Region 10 | 343-365 | 331-353 | 331-353 | November 1, 2018 |
| Region 11 | 396 | 391 | 391 | August 16, 2018 |
| Region 12 | 336 | 315 | 315 | February 2, 2020 |
| CARAGA | 320 | 320 | 320 | May 1, 2019 |
| BARMM | 300-325 | 290-300 | 290-300 | January 1, 2020 |
Are minimum wage earners exempt from payment of income tax?
YES. They shall be exempt from payment of income tax on their basic minimum wage, including holiday, overtime, night shift differential, and hazard pay.
Why does the Minimum Wage for Different Regions Vary?
Have you thought about why there are different minimum wages in different parts of the country? Why not make it equal so everyone will get the same amount of salary?
According to the National Wages and Productivity Commission, the minimum wage varies per region because there is different economic condition depending on the location of the country. Moreover, the minimum wage depends on the cost of living of the workers based on RA 6727 or the Wage Rationalization Act.
Source: National Wages and Productivity Commission/ PIA
Conclusion
The minimum wage in the Philippines plays a critical role in ensuring that workers receive fair compensation for their labor. While there are concerns about its adequacy and its impact on the economy, policymakers must carefully consider various factors when setting the minimum wage, including the needs of workers and the economic conditions of the country.
Ultimately, the goal should be to strike a balance between ensuring that workers are paid a fair wage and creating an environment that fosters economic growth and job creation.
Updates
Like and Follow our Official Facebook Page to receive the latest updates on Jobs, scholarships, and news in the Philippines.