By I. Inojales | 12:43 PM July 15, 2026
TAGBILARAN CITY, Bohol — The Regional Tripartite Wages and Productivity Board-Central Visayas (RTWPB-7) on Wednesday, July 15, held a public consultation in Bohol to hear the positions of workers, employers, and other stakeholders on proposals to raise the minimum wage in the private sector.
The hearing, held at the Tagbilaran City Hall Atrium, is part of a series of consultations being conducted across the region as the wage board reviews petitions for a new wage order.
Labor groups are seeking a substantial increase in the daily minimum wage, proposing rates of P700 for workers in Class B areas and P660 for those in Class A areas. They contend that the current minimum wage of P540 a day is no longer enough to cope with the rising cost of living.
According to labor representatives, workers continue to face mounting expenses for food, transportation, fuel, utilities, and other basic needs, resulting in a decline in their purchasing power.
RTWPB-7 said the consultations are intended to gather inputs from various sectors and assess prevailing economic conditions before making a decision on the wage hike petitions.
The Bohol consultation comes after similar hearings in Cebu City on June 25 and Bogo City on July 9. Another public hearing is set for Aug. 5 in Balamban, Cebu.
The board has not indicated when it will issue its decision, but officials said all submissions and recommendations gathered during the consultations will be considered in determining whether a new wage order is warranted.
The current wage order in Central Visayas took effect on Oct. 4, 2025.
If approved, the proposed increase would provide additional relief to thousands of workers across the region who have been calling for higher wages to keep pace with inflation and rising household expenses.
