MANILA, Philippines — Domestic workers or "kasambahays" in the National Capital Region (NCR) will receive an P800 minimum wage increase starting in February, which will raise their pay in the region from P7,000 to P7,888.
The adjustment comes after the Regional Tripartite Wages and Productivity Board-National Capital Region (RTWPB-NCR) approved the recommendation last Jan. 15 2026. It was subsequently affirmed a week after bty the National Wages and Productivity Commission (NWPC).
Labor Secretary Bienvenido Laguesma said the new wage order would take effect on Feb 7 or 15 days after its publication on Jan 22, adding that it will benefit an estimated 223,610 domestic workers, 62 percent or 138,263 of whom are on live-in arrangement.
The last wage order for domestic workers in the NCR or Metro Manila was issued on Dec. 13, 2024 and became effective on Jan. 4, 2025.
Prior to that, 11 wage orders were also issued by various RTWPBs, granting ₱300 to ₱2,000 increase to the monthly minimum wage of kasambahays or domestic workers.
Prior to the issuance of the order, according to Laguesma, the RTWPB-NCR conducted focus group discussions, and rolled out surveys with domestic workers across NCR, in coordination with local government units, Public Employment Service Offices (PESOs), and various associations.
