Why Metro Manila’s ‘historic’ P85 wage increase was put on hold

Workers perform their tasks at a construction site in Manila, April 30, 2026.

Rappler

The implementation of the minimum wage increase is halted until at least August 13 by a temporary restraining order issued by a Pasig Regional Trial Court

MANILA, Philippines – More than one million minimum wage earners in Metro Manila will have to wait for the full benefit of a “historic” P85 daily minimum pay increase after a Pasig court temporarily stopped its rollout at the request of two construction companies.

The first P60 tranche had already taken effect on July 25, raising the daily minimum wage for non-agricultural workers from P695 to P755. An additional P25 had been scheduled for January 20, 2027, which would have brought the rate to P780.