Institutional capacity building
Strengthening employers’ capacity to engage effectively in regional wage-setting mechanisms in the Philippines
Employer representatives from across the Philippines strengthened their skills in regional wage-setting, learning how to balance economic realities, productivity, and fair outcomes for both workers and businesses
8 October 2025
MANILA, Philippines (ILO News) – The employer representatives from the Regional Tripartite Wages and Productivity Boards (RTWPBs) in the Philippines participated in a specialized capacity-building programme delivered by the ITCILO in Manila on 2–3 October 2025.
In the Philippines, minimum wages are set regionally through a tripartite process. Recent legislative proposals — such as a uniform PhP 200 increase for minimum wage earners across all 19 regions — have raised concerns among employers about the potential disconnect between wage adjustments and the diverse economic realities across regions.
The ITCILO–ACT/EMP training equipped employer representatives with enhanced knowledge on the economic and productivity factors that influence regional wage levels, as well as on negotiation and advocacy strategies to promote balanced and evidence-based wage outcomes that support both enterprises and workers.
The training was organized immediately after the annual National Productivity Olympics, hosted by the National Wages and Productivity Commission (NWPC), ensuring the participation of most employer representatives currently serving on the RTWPBs nationwide.