What some call as "holiday economics" will be felt, doubly felt, this month of August. Congress passed a new law (RA 9492), providing for "movable holidays". Two movable holidays fall on the month of August - Ninoy Aquino Day  Monday nearest August 21, which is August 20) and National Heroes Day (last Monday of August, which is August 27).  (Update: Please note Proclamation No. 1353, which is conspicuously silent regarding the National Heroes Day).

 

{mosgoogle}The computation of wages or salaries of workers (RA 9492, read together with Memorandum Circular No. 1), are computed as follows:

For National Heroes Day, the following rules shall apply:

    a. If it is an employee’s regular workday:

    * If unworked - 100%
    * If worked

        - 1st 8 hours - 200%
        - excess of 8 hours - plus 30% of hourly rate on said day

    b. If it is an employee’s rest day:

    * If unworked - 100%
    * If worked

        - 1st 8 hours - plus 30% of 200%
        - excess of 8 hours - plus 30% of hourly rate on said day

For Ninoy Aquino Day, being a nationwide special holiday, the following rules shall apply:

    a. If unworked, no no pay, unless there is a favorable company policy, practice or collective bargaining agreement (CBA) granting payment of wages on special days even if unworked.

    b. If worked:

    - 1st 8 hours - plus 30% of the daily rate of 100%
    - excess of 8 hours - plus 30% of hourly rate on said day

    {mosgoogle}c. Falling on the employee’s rest day and if worked:

    - 1st 8 hours - plus 50% of the daily rate of 100%
    - excess of 8 hours - plus 30% of hourly rate on said day

The same law, however, provides that the holidays may be modified "by law, and/or proclamation", the latter referring to an act of the President. The law also requires that for movable holidays, the President shall issue a proclamation, at least 6 months prior to the holiday concerned, the specific date that shall be declared as a nonworking day.