Cebu City, Philippines (07 June 2023). Giving value to the importance of the celebration of Independence Day on 12 June 2023, employers are encouraged as far as practicable as practiced in schools, to observe ‘no work’ on said day.

DOLE-7 Regional Director, Lilia A. Estillore reminded the employers to carefully check the computation of wages on June 12, which is a regular holiday.

The payment of wages is reflected in Labor Advisory No. 13, Series of 2023 that is issued by Labor and Employment Secretary, Bienvenido E. Laguesma pursuant to Proclamation No. 09 as approved by the President.

Director Estillore said that if the employees do not work, the employer shall pay 100% of the employees’ wage for that day, provided that the employees report to work or are on leave of absence with pay on the day immediately preceding the regular holiday.

“There is no such thing as an after-the-holiday element being one of the factors considered in paying the regular holiday pay. Commonly, the calls we received through our Hotline Assistance Call Services about holiday pay is that workers are not paid with the regular holiday pay because they were not present or did not report to work after the holiday. This is a misnomer, something that must be rectified,” clarified Director Estillore.

She noted that if the day immediately preceding the regular holiday is a non-working day in the establishment or the scheduled rest day of the employees, they shall be entitled to holiday pay if the employees worked or were on leave of absence with pay on the day immediately preceding the non-working or rest day.

For work done during the regular holiday, she continued, the employer shall pay a total of 200% of the employees’ wage for that day for the first 8 hours of work. The 100% would represent the basic pay and the other 100% is for the holiday pay.

For work done in excess of 8 hours or overtime work, the employer shall pay the employees an additional 30% of the hourly rate on said day based on the 200% total entitlement per hour.

“If work is done during the regular holiday that also falls on the employees’ rest day, the employer shall pay the employees an additional 30% of the basic wage of 200%,” the Regional Head added.

For work done in excess of 8 hours or overtime work during a regular holiday that also falls on the employees’ rest day, the employer shall pay the employees an additional 30% of the hourly rate on said day.

End//LSenarlo-Taniza

For more information on this report, you may contact LuchelSenarloTaniza, Regional Labor Information Officer, by sending an email at ro7@dole.gov.ph