The NCR minimum wage 2026 has changed under Wage Order No. NCR-27, giving private-sector minimum wage earners in Metro Manila an additional ₱85 per day through two scheduled increases. The first ₱60 increase became effective on July 25, 2026, while the remaining ₱25 is scheduled for January 20, 2027.
For workers and employers, the most important point is that the current rate depends on the sector and size of the establishment. As of August 2026, the applicable NCR rates are ₱755 per day for non-agricultural workers and ₱718 per day for agriculture, qualifying small service and retail establishments, and qualifying small manufacturing establishments.
What Is the NCR Minimum Wage in 2026?
The National Capital Region has its own wage order because minimum wage rates in the Philippines are determined through regional wage boards rather than one nationwide rate.
Under NCR Wage Order No. 27, the rates changed from the previous ₱695 and ₱658 daily minimums. The first tranche added ₱60 per day on July 25, 2026. A further ₱25 increase is scheduled for January 20, 2027.
| Sector or Establishment | Before NCR-27 | From July 25, 2026 | From January 20, 2027 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Non-agriculture | ₱695 | ₱755 | ₱780 |
| Agriculture | ₱658 | ₱718 | ₱743 |
| Service/Retail, 15 or fewer workers | ₱658 | ₱718 | ₱743 |
| Manufacturing, fewer than 10 regular workers | ₱658 | ₱718 | ₱743 |
The official National Wages and Productivity Commission (NWPC) lists NCR-27 as effective July 25, 2026 and confirms the second tranche scheduled for January 20, 2027.
NCR Minimum Wage 2026: Current Rate
For workers checking the rate applicable right now, the answer is straightforward:
- ₱755 per day — non-agricultural sector
- ₱718 per day — agriculture, qualifying service and retail establishments, and qualifying manufacturing establishments
These rates apply from July 25, 2026 under NCR-27. The previous ₱695 and ₱658 rates no longer represent the current minimum after the first tranche took effect.
The wage order covers the National Capital Region, including cities such as Manila, Quezon City, Makati, Pasig, Taguig, Caloocan, Pasay, Parañaque, Muntinlupa, Marikina, Mandaluyong, Malabon, Navotas, San Juan, Valenzuela and Las Piñas, as well as the Municipality of Pateros.
Why Did NCR Minimum Wage Increase in 2026?
The 2026 adjustment was introduced amid concerns about workers’ purchasing power and changing economic conditions.
DOLE said the increase is intended to help workers cope with factors including inflation and rising electricity costs. The department also described the ₱85 adjustment as the largest single daily minimum wage increase enacted in Metro Manila.
More than 1.1 million minimum wage workers in NCR were identified as beneficiaries of the increase.
The wage-setting process is handled through the Regional Tripartite Wages and Productivity Board, which considers economic and labor conditions when determining regional wage adjustments.
When Did the New NCR Minimum Wage Take Effect?
The first increase took effect on July 25, 2026.
There was initially confusion over the implementation date because early announcements referred to July 19. After Wage Order No. NCR-27 was officially published on July 9, DOLE clarified that the first tranche would take effect July 25.
This distinction matters for payroll processing. Employers should use the legally effective date rather than an earlier preliminary announcement when calculating wages.
The second tranche remains scheduled for January 20, 2027.
How Much Will the NCR Minimum Wage Be in 2027?
Although the question is about the NCR minimum wage 2026, employees and employers should also know the next scheduled adjustment.
Starting January 20, 2027, the full ₱85 increase will be implemented:
- Non-agriculture: ₱780 per day
- Agriculture: ₱743 per day
- Qualifying small service and retail establishments: ₱743 per day
- Qualifying small manufacturing establishments: ₱743 per day
The full increase is therefore ₱85 compared with the rates under the previous wage order.
Who Is Covered by the NCR Minimum Wage?
NCR-27 establishes minimum wage rates for covered private-sector workers in the National Capital Region. However, the applicable rate depends on the classification of the employer.
The highest tier applies to the non-agricultural sector, with the daily minimum increasing to ₱755 in July 2026 and ₱780 in January 2027.
A lower tier applies to:
- Plantation and non-plantation agriculture
- Service establishments employing 15 workers or fewer
- Retail establishments employing 15 workers or fewer
- Manufacturing establishments regularly employing fewer than 10 workers
Those categories move from ₱658 to ₱718 and then to ₱743.
Workers should therefore avoid assuming that every employer in Metro Manila has exactly the same minimum wage obligation.
NCR Minimum Wage for Domestic Workers
Domestic workers, commonly called kasambahays, are covered by a separate wage order.
In January 2026, the Regional Tripartite Wages and Productivity Board-NCR issued Wage Order No. NCR-DW-06. It increased the monthly minimum wage for domestic workers from ₱7,000 to ₱7,800.
The order became effective on February 7, 2026 after publication. DOLE reported that the increase was expected to benefit about 223,610 domestic workers in NCR.
This means the ₱755 daily rate under NCR-27 should not simply be applied to a domestic worker. Kasambahays have a separate wage schedule.
What Does the Wage Increase Mean for Employers?
Employers covered by NCR-27 need to make sure payroll systems reflect the correct rate from the applicable effectivity date.
Businesses should review:
- Employee basic wage rates
- Payroll software and salary tables
- Employment records
- Wage-related policies
- Overtime and premium-pay calculations
- Payroll budgets for January 2027
- Employees whose wages are close to the new minimum
- Potential wage distortions within the organization
DOLE has emphasized compliance with the wage order and said monitoring and information efforts will be undertaken.
A minimum wage increase can also affect employees who already earn slightly above the legal floor. Employers may need to examine their internal salary structure to determine whether the adjustment creates a wage distortion or an internal pay-equity issue.
Does the NCR Minimum Wage Apply to Every Employee?
Not necessarily.
The statutory minimum wage is a legal floor for covered workers. An employee’s actual compensation may be higher because of the employment agreement, company salary structure, collective bargaining agreement, position, experience or other applicable compensation arrangements.
The important question is whether the worker’s basic wage complies with the minimum applicable to the employer’s sector and classification.
Employers should also distinguish basic wage from benefits, allowances and other compensation components when checking compliance. The applicable wage order and labor regulations should be reviewed rather than assuming that every payment made to an employee can automatically substitute for the required basic wage.
How Should Employees Check Their Minimum Wage?
Employees in NCR can start by identifying three things:
First, identify the workplace location. The NCR wage order applies to covered establishments within the National Capital Region.
Second, identify the employer’s sector. A non-agricultural employer may fall under the ₱755 daily rate, while certain smaller service, retail and manufacturing establishments fall under the ₱718 tier.
Third, check the date. A payroll period may cross from the old rate into the new rate, so the applicable rate depends on the days covered by the wage order’s effective period.
For the most authoritative rate information, workers and employers should consult the National Wages and Productivity Commission and the NCR Regional Tripartite Wages and Productivity Board, rather than relying solely on social media posts or older wage tables.
NCR Minimum Wage 2026 vs. Previous Rate
The change under NCR-27 can be summarized simply.
For non-agricultural workers, the previous minimum was ₱695 per day. The first tranche increased it to ₱755, representing a ₱60 daily increase. The second tranche will raise it by another ₱25 to ₱780.
For agriculture and the specified smaller establishments, the previous rate was ₱658. It increased to ₱718 in July 2026 and is scheduled to reach ₱743 in January 2027.
This two-stage approach gives employers time to prepare for the second increase while providing workers with an immediate improvement in daily pay.
FAQ
What is the NCR minimum wage in 2026?
As of July 25, 2026, the NCR minimum wage is ₱755 per day for non-agricultural workers and ₱718 per day for agriculture, qualifying small service and retail establishments, and qualifying small manufacturing establishments.
When did the NCR minimum wage increase take effect in 2026?
The first ₱60 increase took effect on July 25, 2026.
Will NCR minimum wage increase again?
Yes. A second ₱25 increase is scheduled for January 20, 2027.
What will the NCR minimum wage be in 2027?
The scheduled rates are ₱780 per day for non-agriculture and ₱743 per day for agriculture and the specified smaller service, retail and manufacturing establishments.
What is the NCR minimum wage for domestic workers in 2026?
The monthly minimum wage for covered domestic workers in NCR is ₱7,800 under Wage Order No. NCR-DW-06, effective February 7, 2026.
Is there one minimum wage for all workers in Metro Manila?
No. NCR-27 establishes different rates according to sector and establishment classification. The current rates are ₱755 and ₱718 per day, depending on the applicable category.
