The Philippines is one of the countries with the most generous number of public holidays. It is very important for businessmen to know these holidays to ensure that they are paying the proper holiday pay to their employees. The two common types of holidays are regular holidays and special non-working days. Contrary to popular belief, not all holidays are considered paid. It is only for regular holidays wherein employees are paid even if they do not come to work. If they report for work, they must be paid double their daily rate.
A different rule governs for special non-working days. The principle of “no work, no pay” will apply. Thus, if an employee does not work on a special non-working day, he is not entitled to be paid for that day. However, if he comes to work on a special non-working day, there must be a premium of 30% added to his daily rate.
The Philippine holidays (both regular and special non-working days) for 2017 are as follows:
01 January 2017, Sunday – New Year’s Day (regular holiday)
02 January 2017, Monday – (special non-working day)
28 January 2017, Saturday – Chinese New Year (Special non-working day)
25 February 2017, Saturday – EDSA Revolution Anniversary (Special non-working day)
09 April 2017, Sunday – Araw ng Kagitingan (regular holiday)
13 April 2017 – Maundy Thursday (regular holiday)
14 April 2017 – Good Friday (regular holiday)
15 April 2017 – Black Saturday (Special non-working day)
01 May 2017, Monday – Labor Day (regular holiday)
12 June 2017, Monday – Independence Day (regular holiday)
June 2017 – Eidl Fitr -actual date to be confirmed (regular holiday)
21 August 2017, Monday – Ninoy Aquino Day (Special non-working day)
28 August 2017, last Monday of August – National Heroes’ Day (regular holiday)
September 2017 – Eidl Adha -actual date to be confirmed (regular holiday)
31 October 2017, Tuesday – (Special non-working day)
01 November 2017, Wednesday – All Saints’ Day (Special non-working day)
30 November 2017, Thursday – Bonifacio Day (regular holiday)
25 December 2017, Monday – Christmas Day (regular holiday)
30 December 2017, Saturday – Rizal Day (regular holiday)
31 December 2017, Sunday – last day of the year (Special non-working day)
Nicolas & De Vega Law Offices is a full-service law firm in the Philippines. You may visit us at the 16th Flr., Suite 1607 AIC Burgundy Empire Tower, ADB Ave., Ortigas Center, 1605 Pasig City, Metro Manila, Philippines. You may also call us at +632 4706126, +632 4706130, +632 4016392 or e-mail us at [email protected] .