Residents buy basic goods at Hunter Market, a wet market on Kaliraya Street, near Araneta Avenue in Tatalon, Quezon City on April 08, 2022. Jonathan Cellona, ABS-CBN News 

MANILA -- Fourteen regions in the Philippines were able to adjust their minimum wage in 2024, the Department of Labor and Employment reported Wednesday. 

Labor Secretary Bienvenido Laguesma says among the regions that were not able to implement an adjustment in minimum wages was the Bicol Region, which had been hit hard with multiple calamities last year.

Massive flooding hits Bicol as Kristine dumps record-breaking rains 

In a televised briefing Laguesma said even the workers' representative in Bicol's Regional Tripartite Wages and Productivity Board agreed to shelve talks on wage hikes to allow businesses to recover from the disasters suffered by the region. 

President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. earlier directed the Regional Tripartite Wages and Productivity Boards to undertake a timely review of their minimum wage rates at least 60 days prior to the anniversary of their latest wage order.

Workers in Calabarzon, Central Visayas get wage hikes of between P21 and P75

Marcos also directed the Department of Labor and Employment to strengthen programs to help workers and those belonging to the country’s vulnerable sector. 

Laguesma said Marcos made the directive during the Cabinet’s first meeting earlier in January in Malacañang, where officials took stock of the administration’s critical programs in 2025.

Filipinos want livelihood, not dole out, Marcos Jr. says 

He said the agency’s programs are aligned with the current administration’s 8-point socioeconomic agenda, which ensures sustainable development for all.

The Labor Secretary meanwhile noted the agency’s gains in 2024, particularly on the promotion of gainful employment and human resources development.

He said DOLE has been able to establish 8 technical vocational education and training innovation centers across the country, which aims to equip students with the higher-level skills and competencies demanded by the job market.

Laguesma also reported the resolution of about 100,000 labor cases which benefited 170,000 Filipino workers in 2024.