ARAW NG KAGITINGAN: Today is a regular holiday

CEBU, Philippines -   Today marks the 68th commemoration of the Day of Valor or the “Araw ng Kagitingan,” a tribute to the Filipinos and American soldiers who heroically fought against the Japanese who occupied the Philippines during World War II.

 As a regular holiday, the Department of Labor and Employment issued pay rules applicable nationwide through Presidential Proclamation No. 1841.

 According to PP 1841, if today is an employee’s regular workday and he or she worked, the employee is entitled to 200 percent of his or her basic wage for the first eight hours. For work in excess of the eight regular working hours, the employee is entitled to an additional 30 percent of his or her hourly rate on the said day.

 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.

 If today is the employee’s rest day and he or she worked, the employee is entitled, for the first eight hours, to 200 percent of the daily rate plus 30 percent. For work in excess of eight hours, the employee is entitled to additional 30 percent of his or her hourly rate on the said day.

 Same thing 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.

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

 The Day of Valor used to only be nationally observed until a Letter of Instruction No. 1087 dated November 26, 1980, made it a national public holiday to honor those who helped bring democracy and freedom in the country during the World War II.

 Executive Order No. 203 issued on June 30, 1987, further proclaimed April 9 as “Araw Ng Kagitingan” to pay tribute to the heroes of Bataan, Corregidor and Bessang. — Jessica Ann R. Pareja and Sheila Marie E. Catacutan, Negros Oriental State University intern/WAB   (FREEMAN NEWS)