Two important August holidays in the Philippines, Ninoy Aquino Day (August 21) and National Heroes Day (last Monday of August, which lands on the 25th), hold historical significance and practical implications for Filipino employees. For many workers, these holidays provide a moment of rest, extra income in the form of holiday pay, or both. Here’s what you need to know.

Quick Overview: Why These Days are Celebrated

On one hand, Ninoy Aquino Day commemorates the life and death of former senator Benigno “Ninoy” Aquino Jr., a key figure in Philippine history. On the other hand, National Heroes Day honors all Filipino heroes who have fought for the country’s freedom and democracy.

In this article, we’ll focus on what they mean from a labor and compensation perspective.

Ninoy Aquino Day: Special (Non-Working) Holiday

Ninoy Aquino Day is classified as a special non-working holiday, which means the “no work, no pay” rule generally applies, unless your company has a policy or agreement stating otherwise. If you are required to work on this day, you are entitled to 130% of your daily rate. If the holiday falls on your rest day and you work, you get 150% of your daily rate.

Example:

If your daily wage is PHP 600:

  • Work on Ninoy Aquino Day: PHP 600 x 1.3 = PHP 780
  • Work on rest day: PHP 600 x 1.5 = PHP 900

Note: Some companies may compensate their employees with 100% of their daily wage even if they did not render any hours during a special non-working holiday.

Confused about how special non-working holidays work, and their difference from special working holidays and regular holidays? Read our article on special working holidays exploring the three types of holidays in the Philippines.

National Heroes Day: Regular Holiday

National Heroes Day is a regular holiday, which means even if you don’t work, you’re entitled to 100% of your daily wage. But if you do report to work, you receive 200% of your wage. And if it falls on your rest day and you work, the rate goes up to 260%.

Example:

For a PHP 600 daily wage:

  • No work: PHP 600
  • Work: PHP 600 x 2.0 = PHP 1,200
  • Work on rest day: PHP 600 x 2.6 = PHP 1,560

How These Holidays Impact Employees

For many workers, holidays like these present a valuable opportunity to rest and recharge, earn additional income, or spend uninterrupted time with family. Employees who live paycheck to paycheck may rely on these extra earnings, while others may use this time to care for their well-being and work-life balance.

So, as a reminder to Employers and Employees: Employers are expected to follow DOLE holiday pay rules to avoid legal issues; Employees, meanwhile, should stay informed about company policies regarding holiday pay, shift scheduling, and available options such as pay advances or schedule swaps.

PH Special Holidays for Employees Following Foreign (US) or Overseas Holidays

Some BPO employees work for clients overseas and follow foreign holiday schedules, such as US federal holidays or other country-specific observances. Even in these cases, special and regular Philippine holidays still apply. 

This means that if your work schedule falls on a Philippine holiday and you are required to report due to client operations, you should still receive the corresponding holiday pay mandated by DOLE. 

It’s essential to ensure proper compensation is provided for both special non-working and regular holidays, regardless of the client’s local calendar, to help maintain fairness and respect for everyone’s time.

Final Thoughts

If you’re clocking in for higher holiday pay or taking a well-earned break, Ninoy Aquino Day and National Heroes Day remain important markers on the calendar. They remind us of historical milestones and the value of rest and fair compensation in the Filipino workplace.

Make the most of these holidays, whether that means taking home extra pay or simply pausing to relax.

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