Benise Balaoing

Customers purchase goods at a supermarket in Manila om February 16, 2023. Suggested retail prices of a number of basic goods have gone up since February 8, according to the Department of Trade and Industry. Mark Demayo, ABS-CBN News

Article (news)

DTI-INSPECTION

ABS-CBN News

<p>MANILA -- The Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) on Tuesday announced a wage increase of <a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/business/2026/6/30/labor-chief-announces-historic-p85-day-wage-hike-in-metro-manila-1127" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">P85 per day</a> in Metro Manila.</p><p>Labor Secretary Francis Tolentino described the move as &quot;historic,&quot; noting that 1.1 million minimum wage earners will benefit from this increase.</p><div><a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/business/2026/6/30/-barya-barya-labor-groups-lawmakers-slam-p85-day-wage-hike-in-metro-manila-1557" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">‘Barya-barya’: Labor groups, lawmakers slam P85 wage hike in Metro Manila</a></div><p>Workers&#x27; groups, however, have slammed the wage hike, describing it as mere change or &quot;barya.&quot;</p><p>How far can P85 really take you?</p><div><strong>GROCERIES</strong></div><p>Based on the latest suggested retail prices of basic necessities and prime commodities (released by the Department of Trade and Industry in April 2026), a family can buy the following:</p><p>Canned sardines in tomato sauce 130g=P15.25<br/>3-in-1 coffee 17g = P4.70<br/>Pinoy Pandesal 10 pcs = P27.25<br/>Detergent bar 330g = P19.25<br/>Toilet soap 55g = P15</p><div><strong>Total = P81.45</strong></div><p>A family with babies or small children, however, can put less in their basket as the price of powdered milk alone can set them back by P50:</p><p>Powdered milk 135g = P50<br/>Instant noodles 55g = P7.50<br/>Meat loaf 150g = P18<br/>3-in-1 coffee 17g = P4.70<br/>Iodized salt 100g = P4.75</p><div><strong>Total = P84.95</strong></div><p>Note that with the P85 budget, families can&#x27;t buy condiments like:</p><p>Vinegar 200ml = P8.25<br/>Patis 150ml = P12.50<br/>Soy sauce 200ml = P11</p><div><strong>TRANSPORATION</strong></div><p>Presuming a worker travels from North Edsa to Taft Avenue via the MRT-3 every day, then transfers to the LRT Line 1 to work near the farthest Dr. Santos station down south, the fare would be as follows:</p><p>North Avenue to Taft Avenue = P14<br/>LRT1-Edsa to Dr. Santos = P30</p><div><strong>Total = P44</strong></div><p>Traveling end-to-end on the LRT-1, which stretches from the Dr. Santos station in Paranaque to the Fernando Poe Jr. station in Quezon City, costs P55.</p><p>Traveling end-to-end on the LRT-1, which stretches from the Recto station in Manila to the Antipolo station, costs P35.</p><p>The minimum jeepney fare in Metro Manila is P14 for traditional jeepneys and P17 for modern jeepneys, covering the first 4 kilometers. An additional P2 (traditional) or P2.40 (modern) is charged for every succeeding kilometer. These fare hikes were approved only last March.</p><div><strong>ENOUGH FOR INFLATION?</strong></div><p>The P85 minimum wage increase represents a 12.2 percent increase over the current P695 minimum wage. Inflation rose by 7.2 percent in April, before easing to 6.8 percent in May.</p><p>Economic managers are forecasting an average inflation for 2026 of 6 to 7 percent.</p>

What can an P85 wage hike buy?

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What can an P85 wage hike buy?

Benise Balaoing,

ABS-CBN News

Published June 30, 2026 06:23 PM PHT

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Updated June 30, 2026 06:26 PM PHT

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Minimum wage

P85

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