BAGUIO CITY (PIA) – Minimum wage earners and domestic workers (kasambahays) in Cordillera Administrative Region are set to receive a boost with the approval of the new minimum wage orders, which will take effect on December 30, 2025.
Wage Order No. CAR-24 provides an increase of P35 per day to the current minimum wage rate of P470.
The new minimum wage rate of P505 applies to all minimum wage earners in the private sector in the region, regardless of their position, designation or status and irrespective of the method by which their wages are paid.
Any person, corporation, trust, firm, partnership, association, or entity that refuses or fails to pay the prescribed increase shall be dealt with pursuant to the provisions of the Wage Rationalization Act as amended by the Double Indemnity Law.
Pursuant to Wage Order No. CAR-DW-07, the new minimum wage rate of kasambahays in the region will be P6,600 from the current rate of P6,000. This applies to whether on a live-in or live-out arrangement such as but not limited to general househelp, yaya, cook, gardener, laundry person, and any person who regularly performs domestic work in one household on an occupational basis.
However, service provider , family driver , and any other person who performs work occasionally or sporadically and not on an occupational basis is not covered in the wage increase.
Any person who withholds the payment of the prescribed minimum wage or otherwise commits any of the unlawful acts enumerated under the Domestic Workers Act and its implementing rules and regulations shall be dealt with in accordance with the said law and other laws as may be deemed applicable.
The Regional Tripartite Wages and Productivity Board – Cordillera (RTWPB-CAR) has conducted a series of public hearings to assess and determine the propriety of issuing a new wage order.
The RTWPB-CAR said they have considered the various criteria under the Wage Rationalization Act as well as the procedures laid down in the Omnibus Rules on Minimum Wage Determination.
The board also reviewed and evaluated the existing socio-economic conditions in the region. Among these are the Gross Regional Domestic Product of CAR in 2023-2024 at 4.8 percent using constant 2018 prices, the average inflation rate from Dec. 2024 to October 2025 at 2.41 percent based on the current consumer price index in the region, and the poverty threshold at P435per day based on the latest data provided by the Philippine Statistics Authority in 2023.
The minimum wage earners in the region expressed their gratitude for the wage increase, which they hope will help ease their daily expenses.
“Okay ‘yun, masaya kaming lahat na empleyado,” Luz Bauzon expressed.
“Makakatulong din ‘yun sa fare. Malaking tulong ‘yun compared naman sa walang additional,” Myra Latawan also said. **JDP/DEG- PIA CAR
