ILOILO City — Private-sector workers who report for duty on National Heroes Day on August 31 must receive double their regular daily wage, while those working on Ninoy Aquino Day this August 21 are entitled to a 30-percent pay premium, the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) in Western Visayas reminded employers.
The two holidays carry different wage rules because Ninoy Aquino Day is a Special (Non-Working) Day, while National Heroes Day is a Regular Holiday, according to DOLE-6, citing Labor Advisory No. 13, Series of 2026.
DOLE-6 urged private-sector employers to strictly observe the prescribed rates to ensure workers receive the compensation required by labor regulations.
For Ninoy Aquino Day, the “no work, no pay” principle applies to employees who do not report for work, unless a favorable company policy, established practice or collective bargaining agreement provides otherwise.
Employees who work on the special non-working day must receive an additional 30 percent of their basic wage for the first eight hours, equivalent to 130 percent of their regular daily wage.
Those who work beyond eight hours are entitled to an additional 30 percent of their hourly rate on that day, computed as the hourly rate of the basic wage multiplied by 130 percent, then by another 130 percent, and by the number of overtime hours worked.
If Ninoy Aquino Day also falls on an employee’s rest day, the worker must receive 150 percent of the basic wage for the first eight hours.
Work beyond eight hours on the special day that also falls on an employee’s rest day carries an additional 30 percent of the hourly rate for that day.
Higher compensation applies on August 31, National Heroes Day.
Employees who do not work on the regular holiday are entitled to 100 percent of their wage for the day, provided they reported for work or were on paid leave on the day immediately preceding the holiday.
If the day immediately preceding the holiday is a non-working day in the establishment or the employee’s scheduled rest day, the worker remains entitled to holiday pay if he or she reported for work or was on paid leave on the day immediately preceding that non-working or rest day.
Employees who report for work on National Heroes Day must be paid 200 percent of their wage for the first eight hours.
For overtime work, employers must pay an additional 30 percent of the employee’s hourly rate on the regular holiday.
If the regular holiday also falls on the employee’s rest day, the worker is entitled to an additional 30 percent of the 200-percent basic wage.
Employees who render overtime work on a regular holiday that also falls on their rest day must receive another 30-percent premium on the applicable hourly rate.
DOLE-6 urged employers across Western Visayas to comply with the holiday pay rules, stressing that proper implementation ensures fair compensation and helps prevent workplace disputes./PN
