December 30 Holiday (Rizal Day) Pay Computation

What is the history behind Rizal Day, and how do you compensate employees on this holiday?

December 30, also known as Rizal Day, is a regular holiday in the Philippines that commemorates the works and life of the national hero, Dr. Jose Rizal. It marks the anniversary of Rizal’s execution at Bagumbayan, Manila, in 1896.

The first Rizal Day was observed in 1898 as a day of grieving for Rizal in Malolos and all those who died during the Spanish colonial administration under Emilio Aguinaldo, the first president of the Philippines.

As Filipinos observe this significant day, it’s crucial for both employers and employees to understand the rules and regulations surrounding holiday pay computation.

The Philippine Labor Code and its associated regulations mainly set the requirements for computing holiday pay on Rizal Day. Employees who work on this regular holiday are legally entitled to additional pay.

In this article, we’ll learn more about Rizal Day, pay rules, and computation. But before that, we’ll first briefly overview the different Philippine holidays.

What Holidays Are Celebrated in the Philippines?

Regular Holidays

The Philippines has designated the following days as regular holidays:

• January 1 – New Year’s Day 
• Maundy Thursday – Varies every year
• Good Friday – Varies every year 
• April 9 (moved to April 10 in 2023) – Araw ng Kagitingan 
• May 1 – Labor Day 
• June 12 – Independence Day
• Last Monday of August – National Heroes Day 
• November 30 – Bonifacio Day (moved to November 27 in 2023)
• December 25 – Christmas Day 
• December 30 – Rizal Day

The yearly celebrations of Eid’l Fitr and Eid’l Adha have also been declared national holidays. However, the exact dates have yet to be confirmed via Islamic astronomy or the Islamic calendar.

Proclamation No. 368 states that the proclamations declaring national holidays for the observance of Eid’l Adha and Eid’l Fitr shall hereafter be released after the estimated dates of the Islamic holidays have been identified in accordance with the Islamic calendar (Hijra), Islamic astronomical calculations, or the lunar calendar, whichever is possible.

Special Non-Working Holidays

The Philippines has designated the following days as special non-working holidays:

• January 2 – The day after New Year’s Day
• February 25 (moved to Feb. 24 in 2023) – EDSA People Power Revolution
• Black Saturday – Varies every year
• August 21 – Ninoy Aquino Day
• October 30 – Barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan Elections
• November 1 – All Saints Day
• November 2 – All Souls’ Day
• December 8 – Feast of the Immaculate Conception of Mary
• December 31 – Last Day of the Year

Related: Holiday Pay Computation in the Philippines

The History of Rizal Day

Jose Protacio Rizal Mercado y Alonso Realonda, also known as Dr. Jose Rizal, is one of the prominent people who initiated the revolution against the Spanish colonists. He was born in Calamba on June 19, 1861. Rizal was a doctor and a writer.

In his 1887 book “Noli Me Tangere,” he condemned the corrupt Spanish administration over the Philippines. Moreover, several historians concur that the revolution was sparked by the concepts he presented in that book and “El Filibusterismo” (the Reign of Greed).

At Bagumbayan Field, Rizal was sentenced to death by firing squad on December 30, 1896. Despite never having engaged in battle, he was detained and put on trial for treason.

First Rizal Day

The first Rizal Day was observed as a national day of grieving for Rizal and all the victims of the Spanish colonial regime in 1898 by Emilio Aguinaldo, the country’s first president.

The first town to abide by the order was Daet, Camarines Norte, which raised a monument that was financed by the people of Camarines Norte and the surrounding Bicol Region and designed by Lt. Col. Antonio Sanz.

Rizal as a National Hero

In 1910, the Americans gained authority in the Philippines after winning the Spanish-American War against the Spanish. Declaring Rizal as a national hero of the Philippines, American Governor-General William Howard Taft showed that they were more pro-Filipino than the Spaniards.

Act No. 345 was issued by the Philippine Commission on February 1, 1902, a year later, officially designating December 30 as Rizal Day.

To guarantee the event’s solemnity, President Elpidio Quirino approved Republic Act No. 229 into law on June 9, 1948. Every December 30, the law forbids horse racing, cockfighting, and jai-alai. It also mandates that flags are raised at half-staff nationwide.

On December 30, 1996, the centennial of Rizal’s death was commemorated with a reenactment and a flag-raising ceremony. The event involved retracing Rizal’s final steps from his cell at Fort Santiago to the execution site.

Is December 30 a Special Holiday in the Philippines?

Rizal Day falls on December 30 every year. As per the proclamation, this is a regular holiday in the Philippines. Moreover, regular holidays, except for El id Fatir, Maundy Thursday, and Black Friday, are those that typically have a set date.

Regular holidays are different from special non-working days, which provide premium pay instead of holiday pay if an employee works on the day.

The primary purpose of making Rizal Day a regular holiday is to provide Filipinos an annual opportunity to honor their people’s bravery, foster a sense of national identity, and strengthen their patriotism.

What Is the Pay Computation for the Rizal Day Holiday?

The Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) has advised companies to ensure that workers present on December 30 to commemorate the national hero Jose Rizal receive fair compensation.

DOLE Advisory No. 24, Series of 2023, outlines how to compute pay correctly for officially declared regular holidays. 

The pay guidelines for December 30 are as follows:

• The employees will receive double or 200% of the salary for the first eight hours of work. 

(basic salary + COLA) x 200%)

• Employees not working on a particular day will receive 100% of their salary.

(Basic salary + COLA) x 100%)

• The employee will receive an additional 30% of their hourly Rate on the day they work overtime.

(hourly rate of the basic salary x 200% x 130% x number of hours completed)

• An employee will receive an additional 30% of their basic salary of 200% if they work on a regular holiday that also happens to be a rest day.

(basic salary + COLA) x 200%] + [30% (basic salary x 200%)

• An employee will receive an additional 30% of their hourly Rate on a regular holiday that also happens to be a rest day if they work overtime.

(hourly rate of the basic salary x 200% x 130% x 130% x total work hours completed)

Sample Computation for December 30 Holiday (Rizal Day)

For example:

• Basic Salary: 1,000
• COLA (Cost of Living Allowance): 100
• Hourly Rate: (Assume eight working hours per day) Basic Salary / 8

Regular Working Hours (First 8 hours):

Not Working on the Day:

Overtime Pay:

Assuming the employee works an additional 2 hours.

Working on a Regular Holiday (Rest Day):

Assuming the employee works an additional 2 hours.

Overtime Pay = (Hourly Rate × 200% × 130% × 130%) × Number of Hours

Overtime Pay = (1,1008 × 2 × 1.3 × 1.3) = 442.43

Take Away

As we commemorate Rizal Day, it is crucial for both employers and employees to be aware of the regulations surrounding holiday pay computation. Understanding these rules ensures that employees receive their just compensation for their work during this special non-working holiday.

Remember, accurate pay computations contribute to a positive work atmosphere, reinforcing the value and respect that employees deserve for their dedication and hard work, even on special holidays like Rizal Day.

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