Soccsksargen private sector workers to receive P41 daily wage increase

MANILA – Private sector workers in the Soccsksargen region will benefit from a P41 daily minimum wage increase under a newly approved wage order from the Department of Labor and Employment (Dole). The adjustment will be rolled out in two tranches, with the initial phase taking effect on November 19.

Labor Secretary Francis Tolentino announced the wage order on Tuesday, citing the National Wages and Productivity Commission's recommendation. The phased implementation approach aims to provide relief to workers while managing the fiscal impact on employers in the region, which comprises South Cotabato, Cotabato, Sultan Kudarat, and Sarangani provinces.

The wage order represents the latest in a series of minimum wage adjustments across Philippine regions as the government seeks to address inflation and improve workers' purchasing power. Dole has emphasized that such increases are designed to balance the needs of both laborers and businesses operating in the regions.

The Soccsksargen region, an important agricultural and industrial hub in Mindanao, is home to numerous manufacturing and agribusiness enterprises. The wage increase is expected to affect thousands of workers in the private sector across the four-province area.