On 24 November 2011, the President issued Proclamation No. 295 which declares the regular holidays, special non-working days and special holidays for the year 2012. Employers and employees alike should be familiar with these days. On the side of the employee, he needs to know the days when he is not required to work while an employer should know when his employees are entitled to premium pay for such holidays. Pursuant to Proclamation 295, the following are the Philippine holidays for the year 2012:
A. Regular Holidays
New Year’s Day January 1 (Sunday)
Araw ng Kagitingan April 9 (Sunday)
Maundy Thursday April 5
Good Friday April 6
Labor Day May 1 (Tuesday)
Independence Day June 12 (Tuesday)
National Heroes’ Day August 27 (Last Monday of August)
Bonifacio Day November 30 (Friday)
Christmas Day December 25 (Tuesday)
Rizal Day December 30 (Sunday)
Eid’l Fitr To be announced
Eid’l Adha To be announced
B. Special (Non-Working) Days
Chinese New Year January 23 (Monday)
Ninoy Aquino Day August 21 (Tuesday)
All Saints Day November 1 (Thursday)
Additional Non-working Day November 2 (Friday)
Last Day of the Year December 31 (Monday)
C. Special Holiday (for all schools)
EDSA Revolution Anniversary February 25 (Saturday)
It is important to distinguish Regular holidays from Special non-working day and Special Working days. For regular holidays, an employee is entitled to his full day’s wage even if he does not work on that day. If he works on a regular holiday, he is entitled to 200% of his daily wage.
For a special non-working day, an employee is NOT entitled to salary if he does not work on that day. If he works on a special non-working day, a premium of 30% should be added to his daily wage.
In case of a special working day, an employee is entitled only to his basic rate. No premium pay is required since work performed on said days is considered work on ordinary working days. As such, he does not get any pay, if he does not work on a special working day.
Nicolas & De Vega Law Offices is a full-service firm located at the 16th Flr., Suite 1607 AIC Burgundy Empire Tower, ADB Ave., Ortigas Center, Pasig City, Metro Manila, Philippines. You may call us at +632 4706130 or +632 4706126 or e-mail us at info@ndvlaw.com
