May 1 is regular holiday

CEBU, Philippines - The Department of Labor and Employment has announced that May 1, 2012, Tuesday, will be a regular holiday all over the country by virtue of Proclamation No. 295 issued by President Benigno Aquino III last November 24, 2011.

Proclamation No. 295 was issued “Declaring the Regular Holidays, Special (Non-Working Days), and Special Holiday (for all Schools) for the year 2012”.

DOLE Regional Director Ma. Gloria Tango has reminded the private sector to observe the pay rules and other general labor standards for the regular holiday.

The correct pay rules to observe are as follows – if the holiday falls on an employee’s regular workday- if the day is worked, the employee is entitled to 200 percent of his basic wage on the first eight hours and, for work in excess of eight hours, to an additional 30 percent of his hourly rate on the said day. If un-worked, the employee is entitled to 100 percent of the regular daily rate, provided he was present, or was on leave with pay, on the workday immediately preceding the holiday.

If the day is the employee’s rest day-If the day is the employee’s rest day and the day is worked, he is entitled to 260 percent of his daily rate on the first eight (8) hours, plus 30 percent for work in excess of eight hours on the said day. If un-worked, the employee is entitled to only 100 percent of his regular rate, provided he was present, or was on leave with pay, on the workday immediately preceding the holiday.

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

Since this year’s Labor Day celebration is the 110th in Philippine history and is being commemorated in honor of all Filipino workers, more than 20,000 jobs will be awaiting jobseekers, fresh graduates and underemployed workers in Cebu City and Dumaguete City.

This year’s celebration is anchored on the theme, “Pagtutulungan. Pagbabago. Disenteng Trabaho.”

In Cebu City, a livelihood fair at the USC South Campus will showcase the successful entrepreneurs of the DOLE-assisted Kapamilya Negosyo Na Program. The program is spearheaded by the University of San Carlos – College of Commerce Alumni Association Incorporated in partnership with ABS-CBN.

Because May is also the Industrial Peace Month, the labor day celebration will begin with the traditional “Solidarity Run” from various points in the cities of Lapulapu, Mandaue, Cebu and Talisay. A Labor Day Caravan will follow the runners to converge at the University of San Carlos – South Campus, considering that the host for the celebration is the Labor Tripartite Council in Education headed by Rev. Fr. Eduardo Ventic of the Saint Joseph Academy.

A Eucharistic celebration will follow the caravan and a commemorative program will highlight the activities of various Tripartite Industrial Peace Councils recognition of outstanding partners; oath-taking of the newly formed Industry Tripartite Council for the Maritime Sector and the release of livelihood grants.

A parallel activity is the “Tabo sa Mamumuo,” which will offer discounted prices of basic commodities from rice, canned goods, and cooking oil, among others. A total of 20 establishments committed to join and sell goods at low prices.

The activity will be facilitated by the Regional Tripartite Wages and Productivity Board.

Meanwhile, the Cebu City Police Office is asking the local labor and militant groups to police their own members during the national observance the Labor Day on Tuesday.

City Intelligence Chief Romeo Santander is urging group leaders and organizers to monitor the behavior of their respective members to prevent any untoward incidents throughout the whole day activity.

Santander said they have received strict orders to observe maximum tolerance throughout the activity, but they will not allow any group to hold a demonstration without proper permit from the Cebu City government.

If the need arises, Santander said, they will do what is necessary to maintain peace and order.

The police will also deploy a platoon from its Crowd Dispersal Management team to prevent or control any possible occurrence of violence. 

Santander said that beginning 8am on Tuesday, they will distribute their men to strategic areas in downtown Cebu City where at least seven militant groups are expected to hold protests. Some militant groups will reportedly start their demonstrations at Pier 1 followed by a march toward Colon Street. Others groups will start their demonstrations at Plaza Sugbo, which will conclude at Plaza Independencia.

Sr. Insp. Randy Caballes of the Regional Intelligence Division said they have confirmed participation from the Alliance of Progressive Labor (APL), AKBAYAN, KPD, MAKABAYAN, Partidong Manggagawa (PM) and Associated Labor Unions (ALU).

Authorities believe that demonstrations in the city will remain peaceful as they have been for years.  (FREEMAN)