Malacañan declares May 25, 2020, a regular holiday for Eid’l Fitr

President Rodrigo Duterte declared May 25 to be a regular holiday for the observance of the Eid’l Fitr or the culmination of the Fasting of Ramadan. Double pay is waiting for private-sector workers who will work today, a regular holiday.

Malacañan declares May 25, 2020, a regular holiday for Eid'l Fitr | Cebu Finest

Malacañan declares May 25, 2020, a regular holiday for Eid’l Fitr

Duterte signed Proclamation No. 944 on Tuesday, following a recommendation from the National Commission on Muslim Filipinos (NCMF) to declare the date a national holiday.

The Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) said that those who work on the said day will be paid 200 percent of their regular salary for the first eight hours, while those who work overtime will be paid an additional 30 percent of their hourly rate.

In the Labor Advisory, DOLE stated that employees who have not worked on the holiday will be paid 100% of their salary. The Labor Department added that those who work on a regular holiday, which also happens to be their rest day, will be paid an additional 30% of their holiday pay.

In addition, employees who have worked overtime on a regular holiday, which also happens to be on their rest day, will be paid an additional 30 percent of their hourly rate for that day.

DOLE, however, stated that some companies may defer payment of holiday pay until such time as the national health emergency has ceased and normal business operations have resumed.

Labor Advisory No. 20, series of 2020, also stated that establishments that have completely closed or ceased operations during the community quarantine period are exempt from paying holidays.

Proclamation No. 944

Eid al-Fitr is traditionally celebrated by families gathered in a large congregation for the prayer of Eid to express gratitude to Allah for having been able to make their personal sacrifices.

“In order to bring the religious and cultural significance of Eid’l Fitr to the fore of national consciousness, it is necessary to declare Monday, 25 May 2020, a regular holiday throughout the country,” the proclamation read.

In the midst of the current coronavirus disease pandemic of 2019 (COVID-19), the proclamation also reminded the Muslim community to observe community quarantine and safe physical distancing measures.

“The entire Filipino nation should have the full opportunity to join their Muslim brothers and sisters in peace and harmony in the observance and celebration of Eid’l Fitr, subject to existing community quarantine and social distancing measures,” it read.

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To honor the country’s Islamic heritage, the government in 2002 established Eid’l Fitr as a regular holiday by virtue of the Republic Act 9177 and Presidential Proclamation 1083.

Mindanao, home to the majority of Muslim Filipinos, is currently under a less restrictive quarantine of the General Community (GCQ).

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