Pay rules set for Feb. 17 and Feb. 25

CEBU, Philippines — The Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) has issued guidelines on the payment of wages for employees working on the special non-working day on February 17, 2026, and the special working day on February 25, 2026.

The guidelines were contained in Labor Advisory No. 01, Series of 2026, which was posted on Facebook by the Regional Tripartite Wages and Productivity Board Region 7.

According to the advisory, the pay rules are based on Proclamation No. 1006, Series of 2025, which declared February 17, 2026, Chinese New Year, as a special non-working day, and February 25, 2026, the EDSA People Power Revolution anniversary, as a special working day.

For the special non-working day on February 17, DOLE said employees who do not report for work are generally not entitled to pay under the “no work, no pay” principle, unless a company policy, established practice, or collective bargaining agreement (CBA) provides payment for the day.

Employees who work on February 17 are entitled to an additional 30% of their basic wage for the first eight hours of work.

For work rendered beyond eight hours on the said date, employers are required to pay an additional 30% of the employee’s hourly rate for every extra hour worked.

If February 17 also falls on the employee’s rest day, the advisory said workers are entitled to an additional 50% of their basic wage for the first eight hours of work.

Additionally, for overtime work that coincides with a rest day, employers must pay an additional 30% of the hourly rate.

Meanwhile, DOLE said February 25 shall be treated as an ordinary working day for purposes of wage payment and wage-related benefits.

Employees who do not report for work on February 25 will not receive pay, unless there is a favorable company policy, practice, or CBA granting payment on the said day.

Additionally, workers who render service on this day are entitled to 100% of their basic wage for the first eight hours of work.

For work in excess of eight hours on the special working day, employers are required to pay an additional 25% of the employee’s hourly rate, the advisory said. — (FREEMAN)