Malacañang clarified that President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. has not ordered the suspension of the ₱85 daily minimum wage increase for private sector workers in Metro Manila, saying its implementation will proceed as scheduled.
At a Palace press briefing, Palace Press Officer Undersecretary Claire Castro dismissed reports that the wage order would be put on hold following calls from some business groups.
“Wala pong suspension. Wala pong paghihinto rito. Tuloy-tuloy po ito,” Castro said.
She also said the Palace has not received any request from private sector groups seeking to suspend or reconsider the wage order.
“Wala pong naipaabot sa amin kung may nag-request mula sa private sector. Wala pong utos na ito ay suspend,” she added.
On the budgetary impact of the wage increase, Castro said Acting Labor Secretary Francis Tolentino would provide the necessary details.
“Nakausap natin kanina si Secretary… at ibibigay niya ang detalye. Kapag nakuha ko ang detalye, isi-share ko na po ‘yan sa inyo,” she said.
The clarification came after the Foundation for Economic Freedom called on the government to suspend the implementation of the wage order pending a review of its economic impact, warning that it could result in higher prices and job losses.
The ₱85 daily wage increase will be implemented in two tranches, with the first ₱60 increase taking effect on July 25, followed by the remaining ₱25 in January 2027.
The Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) earlier said about 1.1 million minimum wage earners in Metro Manila are expected to benefit from the increase.
Once fully implemented, the daily minimum wage for non-agricultural workers in Metro Manila will increase from ₱695 to ₱780, while the rate for agricultural workers will rise from ₱685 to ₱743.
President Marcos earlier said the Regional Tripartite Wages and Productivity Boards (RTWPBs) are expected to begin issuing wage adjustment recommendations for their respective regions starting in September.
