'Araw ng Kagitingan' a regular holiday —DOLE

source: manila bulletin

MANILA, Philippines --Department of Labor and Employment Secretary Rosalinda D. Baldoz said on Friday that April 9 (Saturday), Araw ng Kagitingan, will be celebrated by all Filipinos, including the country’s workforce, as a regular holiday nationwide in remembrance of the valor and heroism of the country’s soldiers and veterans in Bataan and Corregidor during World War II.

President Benigno S. Aquino III, by virtue of Proclamation No. 84 he issued on Dec. 20, 2010, had reaffirmed the observance of the Araw ng Kagitingan as a nationwide regular holiday.

The labor and employment chief said that the late President Corazon C. Aquino had originally declared the observance of the Araw ng Kagitingan based on Executive Order No. 203 of 1987.

“The historical observance of the Filipinos’ heroism on April 9 is dear to the heart of every Filipino,” said Baldoz.

Baldoz called on the country’s employer sector to ensure voluntary compliance with "core labor standards for workers on this regular holiday day."

She said the pay rules to be observed during the regular holiday on April 9, 2011 are as follows:

a) If the holiday falls on an employee’s regular workday:

If April 9, 2011 is worked, the employee is entitled to 200 percent of his [or her] basic wage on the first eight hours and, for work in excess of the eight hours, to an additional 30 percent of his or her hourly rate on the said day. But, if unworked, the employee is entitled to 100 percent of the regular daily rate, provided he or she was present, or was on leave with pay, on the workday immediately preceding the holiday.

b) If the day is the employee’s rest day:

If the day is worked, the employee is entitled, on the first eight hours, to 200 percent of his or her daily rate plus 30 percent and, for work in excess of eight hours, plus 30 percent of his or her hourly rate on said day. But, if unworked, the employee is entitled to 100 percent of his or her regular daily rate, provided he or she was present, or was on leave with pay, on the workday immediately preceding the holiday.

c) Finally, in case the day immediately preceding the holiday is a non-work day in the establishment, or is the scheduled rest day of the employee, the employee shall not be deemed on leave of absence on that day, in which case he or she shall be entitled to the holiday pay.

source: manila bulletin