Minimum Wage NCR 2026: Wage Order NCR-27
The ₱85/day increase arrived in two steps — and the second one lands in January. Here is exactly who gets what, when, straight from the wage order we OCR'd from the NWPC's own PDF.
Standards: Figures quoted from Wage Order NCR-27 (read directly from the NWPC document on 2026-08-20). General information, not legal advice; DOLE/NWPC rulings govern disputes. Covers NCR only — other regions follow their own wage orders. Last updated: .
The two tranches
| Sector | Before | 25 Jul 2026 (+₱60) | 20 Jan 2027 (+₱25) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Non-agriculture | ₱695 | ₱755 | ₱780 |
| Agriculture (plantation & non-plantation) | ₱658 | ₱718 | ₱743 |
| Retail/service ≤15 workers | ₱658 | ₱718 | ₱743 |
| Manufacturing <10 workers | ₱658 | ₱718 | ₱743 |
The lower tier is the "protected" classification: agriculture plus small retail/service (≤15 workers) and tiny manufacturing (<10 workers), recognized as less able to absorb the full increase.
Why the dates are 25 July and 20 January
Wage orders take effect 15 days after publication in a newspaper of general circulation. NCR-27 was approved 23 June 2026 and published 9 July 2026 — counting 15 days lands on the 24th, observed from 25 July 2026 for tranche one. The second tranche is hard-coded to 20 January 2027. Until then, ₱755 remains the legal minimum; a payslip showing ₱780 today would be ahead of schedule (nice employer), while anything below ₱755 is already a violation.
Monthly equivalents (for budgeting)
- ₱755/day × 26 working days = ₱19,630/month (₱780 → ₱20,280 from January).
- Protected tier: ₱718 × 26 = ₱18,668 (₱743 → ₱19,318).
Our regional minimum wage tool always shows whichever tranche is legally in effect today, across NCR, CALABARZON and Central Luzon.
Does COLA count toward the minimum?
Careful here: wage orders typically integrate certain prior cost-of-living allowances into the basic pay when they set a new minimum — check Section 3 of the order itself for NCR-27's integration language. What never counts as minimum-wage payment: overtime, holiday premiums, night differential, and 13th month are separate statutory entitlements on top of basic.
If your employer doesn't pay it
Non-payment of the prescribed increase falls under RA 6727 §12 (as amended by RA 8188): restitution of underpaid amounts plus interest, and possible fines or imprisonment for willful violation. Complaints go to DOLE-NCR or the National Wage and Productivity Commission; filing is free and you don't need a lawyer for the administrative route.
Other regions
CALABARZON (IVA-22) currently posts ₱600/day non-agri extended metro, Central Luzon (RBIII-26) ₱600 main provinces — both already through their April 2026 second tranches. CAR, BARMM and Regions I–XIII set their own rates via their boards at nwpc.dole.gov.ph.
Update log
2026-08-22 — Published against Wage Order NCR-27 (OCR of primary PDF). Next scheduled check: 20 January 2027, tranche-two effectivity.