PRESIDENT Duterte declared Friday, July 31, a regular holiday in observance of the Muslim event Eid al-Adha or Feast of Sacrifice.
After signing Proclamation No. 985 last July 29, Duterte reminded Filipinos to observe the holiday while being mindful of the existing community quarantine and social distancing measures due to the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic.
The National Commission on Muslim Filipinos (NCMF) recommended that July 31 be declared as a regular holiday to commemorate Eid’l Adha, “one of the two great feasts of Islam.” Eid al-Adha commemorates the sacrifice made by Abraham who offered the life of his son in obedience to Allah.
Communications Secretary Martin Andanar and NCMF Secretary Saidamen Pangarungan, in separate statements, said this year’s event is made more significant as everyone in the world, not just the Filipinos, struggles to overcome the threats and effect of COVID -19.
The two officials urged everyone to be more vigilant in the fight against COVID-19 and continue to pray that the country may be spared from further difficulties and overcome the current challenges.
Pangarungan also paid tribute to the frontliners for their services and sacrifices to help those in need as well as those who had been affected by the virus like those who were infected, those who suffered business losses, among others.
The Supreme Court, meanwhile, said the signing of the Roll of Attorneys of new lawyers will proceed as scheduled. The signing of the roll of attorneys is the final act after the Bar passers have taken their oath to become full-pledged lawyers.
Diane Mae Azores of the University of Sto.Tomas Legazpi (formerly Aquinas University in Legazpi City) topped the Bar exams with a grade of 91.049 percent.
HOLIDAY PAY
The Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) issued pay rules for the observance of Eid Al Adha but has allowed companies to defer payment.
Under Labor Advisory No. 25-2020, business establishments are allowed to either defer or be exempted from paying the holiday pay due to the existence of a national health emergency brought about by COVID-19.
“In view of the existence of a national emergency arising from the COVID-19 situation, employers are allowed to defer payment of the holiday pay on July 31, 2020, until such time that the present emergency situation has been abated and the normal operations of the establishment is in place,” said DOLE.
“Establishments that have totally closed or ceased operation during the community quarantine period are exempted from the payment of the holiday pay under this advisory,” it added.
Nevertheless, the labor department reminded companies that pay rules, if the employee did not work, he/she shall be paid 100 percent of his/her wage for that day.
For work done during the regular holiday, the employee shall be paid 200 percent of his/her regular salary for that day for the first eight hours; and an additional 30 percent of his/her hourly rate for overtime work.
As for work done during a regular holiday that also falls on a rest day, DOLE said the workers shall be paid 230 percent of his/her regular salary for that day for the first eight hours; and an additional 30 percent of his/her hourly rate for overtime work. — With Ashzel Hachero and Gerard Naval
