President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. stated that regional wage boards in the Philippines may not finalize decisions on proposed wage increases until the fourth quarter of 2026. This follows the recent announcement of a historic P85 daily minimum wage increase in Metro Manila, raising the rate from P695 to P780. The increase will be implemented in two stages: P60 starting July 19, 2026, and an additional P25 in January 2027. The wage adjustment applies to various sectors including agriculture, services, and small-scale manufacturing. Labor leader Luke Espiritu criticized the increase as insufficient and urged lawmakers to pass a more substantial legislated wage increase.
Bias read (Center): The article presents factual information about the timeline for regional wage board decisions and the specifics of the wage increase in Metro Manila. It includes direct quotes from President Marcos and a critical perspective from a labor leader, providing balanced coverage without overtly favoring a
