Marilyn Cahatol

Members of militant labor group Kilusang Mayo Uno (KMU), is blocked by the QCPD as they try to march to the south gate of the House of Representatives, on the first day of the resumption of hearings on wage increase bills, February 28, 2024.  The group calls on the urgent legislation of wage increase as the Congress Committee on Labor and Employment hearing begins.Maria Tan, ABS-CBN News

Article (news)

Annie Perez

ABS-CBN News

<div><span class="fr-img-caption fr-fic fr-dib" style="width:960px;display:block" width="960"><span class="fr-img-wrap"><img src="https://od2-image-api.abs-cbn.com/prod/editorImage/177466122996720240227-congress-kmu-pnp-wage-increase-MT-3.jpg" style="width:960px;display:block;height:auto" class="fr-fic fr-dib" width="960"/><span class="fr-inner" style="text-align:left">Members of militant labor group Kilusang Mayo Uno (KMU), is blocked by the QCPD as they try to march to the south gate of the House of Representatives, on the first day of the resumption of hearings on wage increase bills, February 28, 2024.  The group calls on the urgent legislation of wage increase as the Congress Committee on Labor and Employment hearing begins. <em>Maria Tan, ABS-CBN News </em></span></span></span></div><p>CEBU — Several transport groups lodged a petition before the Department of Labor and Employment in Central Visayas on Friday for an increase in wages amid the tension in the Middle East.</p><p>These groups include Partidong Manggagawa, Sentro Ng Mga Nagkakaisa at Progresibong Manggagawa, among others.</p><p>They are lobbying for an instant P100 wage increase for non-agriculture and agriculture sectors, service or retail establishments employing 15 workers or less, including manufacturing industries regularly employing less than 10 workers, through a new order.</p><p>“While wage orders are ordinarily reviewed subject to time limitations, the present Petition is filed under exceptional and urgent circumstances, namely the global oil price shock and inflationary surge arising from the ongoing Middle East crisis, which has materially affected the cost of living,” wrote their petition.</p><div><a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/business/2026/3/18/-pwedeng-mangyari-yan-claire-castro-on-state-of-emergency-wage-hike-0952">&#x27;Pwedeng mangyari &#x27;yan&#x27;: Claire Castro on declaration of state of emergency, wage hike</a></div><p>While they said they understand that a normal wage increase will go through channels and a series of hearings, they explained that the increase in fuel prices is affecting the minimum wage workers.</p><p>“The minimum wage remains below the required subsistence level, and workers are unable to cope with increased costs of food, transportation, and utilities,” they said in their petition.</p><p>At present, the minimum wage rate in Region 7 is at P500 to P540 per day depending on the sector.</p><p>The groups said the gap between income and expenditures has widened due to inflation aggravated by the global crisis.</p><p>“The proposed increase is necessary to restore lost purchasing power and cushion the impact of inflation,” the petition further said.</p><p>Department of Labor and Employment Region 7 meanwhile reminded the public, especially workers, of Republic Act No. 6727, otherwise known as the &quot;Wage Rationalization Act&quot;.</p><p>“It is the Board that will review, hear, and decide the matter. However, considering the extraordinary situation we have, we will evaluate the said petition with urgency,” DOLE said in a statement.</p><p>“Certainly, DOLE feels the pain of our workers and the vulnerable families among us,” it added.</p><div><a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/nation/2026/3/16/marcos-announces-more-subsidies-to-help-public-cope-with-effects-of-middle-east-conflict-1946">Marcos announces more subsidies, policy adjustments to help public cope with effects of Middle East conflict</a></div><div><br/></div><div><strong>RELATED VIDEO:</strong></div><div style="text-align:center"><iframe width="560" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/9NwnhQza_Uo?si=YEJ1VfsacpEIQ_AG" title="YouTube video player" frameBorder="0" allowfullscreen=""></iframe><br/></div>

<p>Several transport groups lodged a petition before the Department of Labor and Employment in Central Visayas on Friday for an increase in wages amid the tension in the Middle East.</p>

Several transport groups lodged a petition before the Department of Labor and Employment in Central Visayas on Friday for an increase in wages amid the tension in the Middle East.

Cebu workers seek P100 wage hike amid Middle East crisis

News

Entertainment

Lifestyle

Sports

Metro.Style

More

Sudoku

Word of the Day

Lotto

Horoscope

Regions

Cebu workers seek P100 wage hike amid Middle East crisis

Annie Perez,

ABS-CBN News

Published March 28, 2026 10:33 AM PHT

Read More:

economy

business

wage hike

Cebu

regions

ABS-CBN is the leading media and entertainment company in the Philippines, offering quality content across TV, radio, digital, and film. Committed to public service and promoting Filipino values, ABS-CBN continues to inspire and connect audiences worldwide.

Corporate

Investors

Governance

International Distribution

Corporate

Governance

Investors

International Distribution

NPC Seal of Registration

Privacy Policy

AI Policy

Terms of Service

Advertise with Us

© 2026 ABS-CBN Corporation. All Rights Reserved.

NPC Seal of Registration

Privacy Policy

Terms of Service

AI Policy

Advertise with Us

© 2026 ABS-CBN Corporation. All Rights Reserved.

NPC Seal of Registration

Privacy Policy

Terms of Service

AI Policy

Advertise with Us

© 2026 ABS-CBN Corporation. All Rights Reserved.