Manila, Aug. 13 -- The Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) on Thursday lauded small businesses that continued to voluntarily implement the recent PHP85 wage hike for minimum wage earners in Metro Manila despite its temporary suspension.

In a news release, Secretary Francis Tolentino noted that the establishments' decision to comply with the NCR wage order reflects their commitment to support workers' welfare while maintaining their operations.

"There are also companies that voluntarily complied with Wage Order No. 27. We thank them. This is Regasco, this is LPG (liquefied petroleum gas). There is a bulaluhan in Caloocan. There is Meals on Wheels. Those are five small companies that even though there is a TRO (temporary restrainin...