Absent Before Holiday But Paid (Philippine Labor)

Those who read my previous post would know that me and my family has just survived a flood on the third week of August. If you haven't read it, please click HERE.
That being said, i missed work on August 19th and August 20th, i would have missed August21st too however that day was particularly declared by the Philippine President as Special Non Working Holiday. See declaration HERE.
According to the Policies that I'm aware of, I am not supposed to be paid on August 21st, that is because I was absent on the 20th. But I still checked with the experts just to be sure.

Do you know the Philippines Labor Code on absence before the Holidays?  I thought i do, but in my quest for a more definite information i went to DOLE's website and submitted a legal query.

Here's My Inquiry

Good Morning.
I would like to inquire about the Holiday Pay on August 21 (Special Holiday)
I heard that its written in the labor code(or law) that Holiday would
be considered unpaid if you miss work the working day prior to the
holiday. Does this apply to Aug 21? being that only a special holiday
not a regular Holiday?

Im working in Pasig and is living in Laguna, my house is flooded on
Aug 19th, therefore i was absent from work on Aug 19th and 20th. Our
town was badly hit by storm and monsoon rains and the whole province
of Laguna is placed under state of calamity.

I would like to know. Will i not get paid for Aug21?
By the way, i am monthly based employee, not daily basis(no work no pay staff)

Please advice.Please reply soon...
Much tomy delight, after 4 hours i got a reply from DOLE, it was sent to the email address that i provided in the inquiry page.
This is their reply:

First, we must make this clear that August 21-Ninoy Aquino Day is a SPECIAL NON-WORKING HOLIDAY (Arts. 91-93 of the Labor Code) and NOT a REGULAR HOLIDAY (Art. 94 of the Labor Code).

Being a special non-working holiday, the rule in Article 94 regarding attendance on the day immediately preceding the regular holiday is NOT applicable.

SPECIAL NON-WORKING HOLIDAYS are covered by the rules found in Article 91-93 (PREMIUM PAY) of the Labor Code.

Premium pay refers to the additional compensation for work performed within eight (music) hours on nonwork days, such as rest days and special days.

Unless otherwise modified by law, order, or proclamation, the following are the three (3) special days in a year under Executive Order No. 292, as amended by Republic Act 9849 that shall be observed
in the Philippines:

1.) Ninoy Aquino Day Monday nearest August 21
2.) All Saints Day November 1
3.) Last Day of the Year December 31

A.DAILY PAID WORKERS (no work no pay salary basis)

The “no work, no pay” principle applies during special days and on such other special days as may be proclaimed by the President or by Congress.

Workers who are not required or permitted to work on special days are not entitled to any compensation. This, however, is without prejudice to any voluntary practice or provision in the Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA) providing for payment of wages and other benefits for
days declared as special days even if unworked.

On the other hand, work performed on special days merits additional compensation of at least thirty percent (30%) of the basic pay or a total of one hundred thirty percent (130%). Where the employee works on a special day falling on his rest day, he/she shall be entitled to an additional compensation of at least fifty percent (50%) of his/her basic wage or a total of one hundred fifty percent(150%).

Since you did not work on August 21, Ninoy Aquino Day, you are not entitled to Premium Pay under Article 91-93 of the Labor Code.


B.MONTHLY PAID EMPLOYEE refers to one who is paid his wage or salary for every day of the month, including rest days, Sundays, regular or special days, although he does not regularly work on these days.

If you fall in the above category, your special day pays are already factored in your monthly pays because you are paid on every day of the month although you do not regularly work on those days. So it does not matter if you were absent on the day of the special non-working holiday because you are still
paid your daily pay regardless.

It will be different in case of Regular Holiday Pay (Art. 94). Even if you are monthly paid, 1.) if you are present or is on approved leave with pay on the day immediately preceding the regular holiday and 2.) on the day of the regular holiday you reported for work, satisfying these 2 conditions will
entitle you to double pay (daily pay + holiday pay or 200% of your daily rate).

For more information, kindly inquire with the Bureau of Working Conditions (BWC) at this number 527-3000 locals 301 or 302 (Wages and Hour Standards), 303 or 407 (Occ. Health and Safety), 304 or 307 (Labor Standards), 309 or 308 (Inspection Standards).

We hope this answers your query. Thank you for writing.

So for those who are wondering, Yes i will be paid holiday pay. It is also confirmed by the HR that we will follow whats in the Labor Code. By the way 2013 has a bunch of Special Holidays (i just notice now), when typically it is just 3, but this year the special holidays are as follows:

B. Special (Non-Working) Days
Black Saturday         Ninoy Aquino Day         All Saints Day         Additional special (non-working) days         Day before Christmas         Last Day of the Year	March 30 August 21 (Wednesday) November 1 (Friday) November 2 (Saturday) December 24 (Tuesday) December 31 (Tuesday)

 Happy Payday Everyone!

Hurray!

Aug 19th Flood in Binan Laguna

It took me more than 1 week to contemplate whether or not i should journal the flooding event from Aug 19th and i realized, i would and want to, this should remind me all the time that the place where i live has become flood prone throughout the years.

It must be the global warming thing or whatever.

The night prior, I was pretty restless on my sleep knowing how long and heavy the rainfall was. I kinda felt somethings coming.. At 3am i went up to check if the dogs are doing fine.
Ive also decided to check the river so i walked till im outside the subdivision and the river is visible.And it was not flooded yet. So i went home and as usual grabbed my IPAD to check Facebook, drop my boyfriend a Wechat message and check my vends in TWOM (The World of Magic). As I was about to go back to sleep around 4am my mother who is presently at the back of the house stated yelling. Water!! Water!! 

And realization hit me. Flood..is coming.

As fast as i can, i grabbed everything that's lying on the floor, my shoes, my bags, my gadgets, the clothes in the lower area of the rack, the foam in my bed, electrical cables,rugs. I was able to salvage most. However i spent too much time taking care of the things in my room and so was not able to help my parents in the other part of the house.Before i even realize it, the house is already flooded up to the knee and is still rising. I cant keep up with the pace to putting things higher. 

This is perhaps the highest flood that I've experienced in Laguna.

This is the inside of my room, the water is already above the first deck of my bed.

Water!! Dont go up anymore or my TV is dead!

 

In the late morning, the sky is still as gloomy as ever. The King Sun in all his glory is still at hiding. I am drenched in flood water waist down, neck to head i am also wet due to the rain and drizzle. I swear i would chill if i stop moving. But i am just too hyper and worried to even care.

I wanted to save so many things and yet i cant. There's only me and my father and he's ailing some serious backache. He's too tired and frail. Hes given up other things too impossible to elevate. Like the fridge, the tv, the couch, the dining..
Its pains me to see things drown, furnishes and appliances broken, possessions with great sentimental values in keeping, fade as they lost color or rust or just simply wear off due to being drenched. Those things other people say money can buy, money can replace,yes i agree. But you cant get money all so easily right? In my case, i have to work for it. Real hard.

When the flood hit chest high, we've decided to send my Mom out. Some neighbors have 2nd floors.
We need her to go there because if the water goes any higher shell be in trouble being someone who cant swim at all.
It felt weird as i watch my mom crawl her way out of the house carrying on her head the bag with one set of clean clothes for changing.
Its like a snapshots of breaking news, flash floods, catastrophes and evacuation you see on TV.. The barking of the dogs snap me back to Reality. The table holding the dogs are falling apart. the flood is too high already.
Then My father and i decided to put the dogs on the roof, as we prepare to evacuate ourselves.Later on i see myself packing, one set of clean clothes for changing. the phone and passport that i safely kept in a zip lock bag,I wore my company ID on and inside my blouse (i did that so in case the flood washes me away they would recognize my remains hehe morbid right?), as i prepare myself to leave the house.

Walking in flood neck high while trying to keep myself balance and keep the bag on my head dry is not as hard if you go with the flow.
And since the water is going crazy fast, i was able to to go where i wanted to in such a little time. Although the risk to getting injured is given in a flood as high as that.
due to broken bottles,tree branches and even big logs that rush with the water.I still took my chances.
I was still in one piece as i enter our neighbor's house. Although i got bruised by accidentally bumping in some sofa under the the water, I'm still good.

While in my neighbors second floor, Ive went online on Skype to drop a short message to my boss that I'm absent for the day.And briefly i told about the catastrophic day I am having.

In an hour or so, the flood cease and as soon as the street flood is waist high I've decided to go back home.It was a struggle, being the current opposite to my direction. Thank God, the flood continuously went down. By 6pm the remnants of the flood left a devastating site everywhere.
The streets are filled with thick mud and muck.Garbage and dead animals are everywhere. The dreadful part is yet to come, the cleaning, getting things together and moving on.One bad part is that Laguna Water Service is out. (Honestly they are not dependable) So we were not able to clean anything.

My mom and i decided to go to my sis house while my sis husband accompany my father in our house. We need a bed to sleep on at night and we badly need to clean ourselves. I for once needs changing and was feverish already.

As i laid my back to rest i thought, how i was enjoying the warmth of my own bed a few nights ago, how i love the feel of my newly ironed linens. The flood came and is now gone but gone also are those lives lost, those broken things, those livelihoods washed in just a short time.What an irreversible horrible fucking thing.
The only consolation that keeps me appease is the fact that we're all safe and sound and together.

News aired about how our province had been badly stricken by the floods and that two more tropical depressions are in sight possibly to enter the Philippine area of responsibility in a weeks time or so, not to mention news on ill gotten wealth corruption and how some legislators stole people's money. How government projects were overpriced and how big the funds are that should have changed the way things were had they been served to good use. I can just stare. Humor Me.

I have thought how much i wanted to have a second floor, or a house in the hills, or a flood free country.. I slept in worry that the flood will come back before the night is even through. But Im too plasted and wasted and gone are the days i thought there's hope for this nation.

So God Bless Us. God Bless the Philippines.

Here are the pics after the flood. :)

Some random things piled above the double deck, this is because there are rumors that the tropical depression made a Uturn. Dang.

No more water, but life isnt back to normal .Yet

Organizing my clutter

Cleaning the valuables with the little water that we can get.

Those Blue Folders are My sister and my own diplomas from elementery and highschool grduation. They were soaked in flood after decades of safekeeping.

Cabinets, Linoleum, and all else that will soon be garbaged.

My parents room suffered the most casualties, from the clothes in the cabinets to this (not so cheap) mattress.

In my trauma for the next possible flood, i bought a handful of these storage boxes on sale at the Pavillion Mall.

August 9 2013 is a Holiday in the Philippines

Just yesterday, The palace declared August 9,2013 a Regular Holiday.

To those who wonder why, The said date denotes the end of the Holy Month of Ramadhan for our Muslim brothers.

Eid’l Fitr is celebrated by the Muslim World for three days after the end of the month of fasting.

Click the Link for proclamation posted on the Republic's Official Gazette


August 9, being a Friday, means its a long weekend for everyone. Yay!

Jessica's Prayer : True Blood 6

True Blood for straight 4 days. I'm in love more than ever.
As you know i am Team Eric all the way. Until Warlow came flesh and blood and he's tooo handsome to hate. Really.

So on the 4th episode, while Jessica was hysterical on Bill that is not so himself, she uttered a prayer that made me really cry. ( I guess I am beginning to like the baby vamp ). I realized how nice Jessica's character is that despite her confusion, she's obviously a loving person.

You said you could feel the pain of all vampires? I was wondering if you could feel mine? Because I’m scared. Feels like the world is spinning out of control and I have this terrible feeling that out there it’s just chaos and in here..

I raised on the human Bible and then you gave me the vampyr Bible. I don’t know if I believe any of it, but.. Are you Lilith? Are you God?

Heavenly Father, I don’t know the last time I prayed to you. I have been greedy and lustful and wrathful. I’ve killed people. I’ve lied. I’ve taken your name in vain. I beg you for your forgiveness.

Please watch over my friends? Because that’s what they are.

Please bless Jason. He’s such a good man and he’s hurting so bad.

Please bless Sookie. I know she tried to kill you, but she’s been good to me and she loves you. I know she does.

And bless Eric. Even in his anger and wrongheadedness.

Bless Pam. Give her the courage to let happiness in.

And bless Tara. She may find whatever it is she’s looking for.

And bless Sam, Lafayette and Arlene. All the good people of Bon Temps, for they know not what they do.

And bless Hoyt, whereever he is. Watch out for him, for me.

And bless Bill. If you are him or he is you, bless him. Please bring him back to me. I need him. We all need him.

I am back !

It has been a while, yes it has been.. This is probably one of the longest time i haven't touched my blog. Not that i dont have time, its just that sometimes silence is just necessary. This blog had been a public and personal space for me. But sometimes i just feel lazy.

So, Whats up with me?

It is summer here in the Philippines, It is April 2013 and it has been 3 years now since i returned to Manila, I'm still hung over by the idea that i cannot work here anymore. As the saying goes, "Once you've work abroad, you will never find the satisfaction to work back home". True. At least for me that is.

To fairly put it, i want to admit that coming back home was a blessing.You see, I graduated from a BS Computer Science Degree from STI. I had good training during college, i was a performer, consistent achiever and closed the deal with honors. However my Degree thesis was too large, too hard for me to handle, i worked a 4 man's job in the attempt to make a system that the school could use to represent the branch in the Annual Best Thesis Awards.I was proud of what i did, but boy it did tire me to death. So after graduation, rather than pursuing a career in IT, i accepted other jobs. If you were one of my very few constant readers, you would know that i have collected a lot of job descriptions, a ton of industries, a wide range of knowledge from different areas that i could no longer count, yes ive been to different corporations worked with different kinds of people and sometimes i even work 2 jobs at the same time.But, I was lucky i always get hired, i could count in one hand the rejections i get for the lifetime of my career. I was blessed despite my shortcomings.

Okay nuff of the litany. I came back home just to find the job that i've given up 10 years ago. I am inlove with my profession now, For the first time after a decade, i finally found the job that i like to do. To program.I put all the pride aside working with schoolmate who is now my supervisor.If we will go back 15 years ago, who would have thought that i will address him as Sir? no one. After all i am Mau. The campus crush haha, just kidding.Sometimes i regret straying away from this industry. Had i pursued IT right after graduation, would i be in a higher position now? Would i be the Boss now? Would i be rich now? I remember after graduation, the manager of the company which i make the thesis for offered me to work in their office in Perth Australia. I thought its a stupid idea because my BF (now ex) was here, my life was here. And now i could only *breathe deep *sigh *breathe deeper fuck thats just so stupid.if i could turn back time, i would definitely accept it. To hell with the BF.

But past has passed. I am here now and yes, there were regrets here and there but all things are falling into places now. My life isnt perfect right? But it is beautiful. And i had wrong turns, stops, falls i make mistakes i am not perfect, but hey thats life right? and this is me had i been filled with too much awesomeness, life wouldn't taste this sweet, i wouldn't have come to know God. Yes, thank God for everything, because of everything i have come to know him.

So after getting aboard M/V Programmer Profession, i really did my best, i was promoted after a year. I beg to disagree it was because the Boss was a friend. I knew i earned it because you see, i have never worked so much my whole life as much as i have worked now. The thing is lately i am feeling a little low and honestly there were days that i dont feel like its working for me anymore.Maybe my pay is not enough? Hehehe.. My pay is good but hopefully it would be better so i no longer need to find a job abroad.

Yes i hope to find a better job overseas. I never planned for this, just recently.I wanted to renovate the house and pay my father's debt but my salary is not close enough to provide it. My employer is generous but i cant expect them to give me an arm and leg for my less than 2 years tenure with them. But since i love what i do and this place is home to me, i will only be leaving this company after i get a job offer from abroad. Until then I will be here. And yes please lets add that there are plans of marriage and settling down..So I cant be drastic with my decisions, this needs a lot of thinking.
*Think *Think

So moving forward again..

Last Holy Week, my Mum started a minor renovation project in the House. The dirty kitchen with linoleumed floor was tiled, the walls were finished and the front door area to the fence was roofed. I shed my share of expense, Which now left me penniless but im happy because little by little the house is getting better. I can do this everyday you know, renovate the house, had it not require money hahaha. One of my ultimate goal in life is to give my parents a big beautiful home. and i swear it will happen. (good vibes) In time it will happen.

Just recently my BF attended his graduation in PICC for some Associate Degree in SPCC, Finally graduated after years of schooling and yes i am one proud GF. IN less than a month he will be leaving for abroad to work (insert background music here). So Good luck to us because our lives will definitely change after that.I will surely miss coming to his house to sleepover when i work OT and the good times with him on some of my rest days while we rummage the streets of Divisoria in the scorching heat of the Sun just to appease my hunting-for-bargain mode. I seriously admire my BF for being able to stand my mood swings and temper. Because you see i am an all out a baby girl with him despite the fact that i am 6 years older than him.

Oh, my Dog Miki gave birth to 4 adorable pups and she is still nursing them on their third week now.They are so cute but i only get to play with them in the evening when i get home from work. Miki would cuddle me when i come home (i think more like ask for pasalubong) shed be like the sweetest dog ever would follow me around anywhere and come to me whenever i call she'd even leave the pups when i leave the area and stay with me while i watch Ina Kapatid Anak.Shed let me touch the pups i could even take them out of her house and she wont mind. Miki has 2 male and 2 female pups and i dont know which one (or two) to choose. We cannot keep the 4 with us that's too many.

Last week was a sad day because our other Dog, Sam died. It was too sudden i could not even recall that he was unhealthy. Sam is Miki's son during her first pregnancy, He was born a few days before i left for Singapore years ago. I recall that he was the smallest puppy among his siblings, he was the black one, but as he grows bigger black became spots then the hair became brown. He was cute when he was younger and he would have looked better than Miki had he not got an allergy, he stinks too. But its just him i dont know maybe somethings wrong with his skin. Not that he's dirty but he just really stink. Anyway another regret hit me when Sam died, i felt saddened by the fact that he died too young and unloved. Unlike Miki, Sam is not very used to human touch and hugging. I sure liked him but i did not care for him as much as i cared for my Dog,You see, When i eat i always share my food to Miki, he always gets the biggest leftover. So i really regret not being fair to Sam, he was a good dog , he dont bite. And barks only at the right time. Unlike Miki who barks at his own tail all the time and goes berserk on eye contact.(yes.. wtf)

Last December i got a new phone. a Kata i1, i loaned it from the office as it is also a company product.I never knew I'm going to love it but i did, and for the first time after many years Ive learned to appreciate another brand aside from my first love, Apple.My sister bought one for herself too, well of course loaned from the office too hehehe. I'm enjoying my phone so much i do almost anything with it. My experience with Sony Experia taught me how powerful Android OS is, and since then i've held this OS with high regard in choosing a gadget. It is also easy to update, and what i like most about this phone is i could download a movie and save it to my SD anytime.
Well, i am just an average user so the battery life is fine with me, although if you will ask the majority, The battery life does not suffice the amount of fun things you can do with Kata i1. Disclaimer : This is not a paid advert to back off haters, go chew your nails!

So going back.. I am pretty much fine.Oh i turned 33 already. Honestly i never felt excited about that recent "growing old" thingy. Age is a very ruthless enemy.My consolation is just like the saying goes "the older you get the wiser you become" yada.. yada..But honestly, who wants to age? I dont. -- Which reminds me that since my BF is leaving soon therefore i need to "overhaul" my physical outlook and be more healthy as in fit healthy not fat healthy lah. I'm planning to see the OB to have a regular check up of my "Polycysticsm" whatever that is and hopefully get it cured before i start to look like a sofa. Recently i dont feel good about myself and i am scared too having grown this big i felt anytime i will have a heart attack or my feet will swell and look so disgusting. Oh no not the feet!

I guess that should be all for now? I'm writing again very soon. I so missed doing this.
Welcome me back Blogworld!

The Organizer

What shall i write here? Its supposed to be a planner.. not a diary right ?

2013

Hello Blogworld lets embrace 2013 with greater hope!

Bloggin via Android

Not my first time but definitely no less than blogging via iOS.     

~ love my new gadget ...

HOLIDAYS in the PHILIPPINES 2013

President Benigno Aquino III already announced the special and legal non working holidays in the Philippines for 2013 and here they are:

A. Regular Holidays
New Year’s Day	January 1 (Tuesday)
Maundy Thursday	March 28 (Thursday)
Good Friday	March 29 (Friday)
Araw ng Kagitingan	April 9 (Tuesday)
Labor Day	May 1 (Wednesday)
Independence Day	June 12 (Wednesday)
National Heroes Day	August 26 (Last Monday of August)
Bonifacio Day	November 30 (Saturday)
Christmas Day	December 25 (Wednesday)
Rizal Day	December 30 (Monday)
B. Special (Non-Working) Days
Black Saturday	March 30 (Black Saturday)
Ninoy Aquino Day	August 21 (Wednesday)
All Saints Day	November 1 (Friday)
Additional Special (Non-Working) Days
After All Saint's Day	November 2 (Saturday)
Before Christmas Day	December 24 (Tuesday)
Last Day of the Year	December 31 (Tuesday)
C. Special Holiday (For ALL schools)
EDSA Revolution Anniversary	February 25 (Monday)

Find the Official Proclamation HERE

~ its more fun in the Philippines

Christmas 2012 : Decorating Part 1

Finally :)

My Christmas decorating project is halfway done, the curtain headers and door decoration are done. Actually i haven't done so much but it took me 7 hours to do this much. I don't have garlands, but we have an old Christmas tree so i just used the elements to make them look like garlands.Its not easy to make it but this is all i have now, i just have to be creative. Well i thought not to put the tree up because i have no place for it.

Well, my motif hasn't changed. In fact i think its been the motif for the last 8 years.pink, lilac,peach with light gold.they look really classy but having it for too long just don't feel right to me now. i promised myself to box them well after Christmas i will surely invest on a new motif next year.With the home improvement in place, i think id just root for the traditional colors red gold and green. What more they are actually easier to collect and cheaper.

 

So, that's it for 2 small windows, 1 bigger window, and 2 doors. i tried to save flowers as much as i can because i still want to put a lantern, with the same motif, and a table tree just like last year, I'm also planning to arrange the remaining balls into a tree shape just like what i saw in Singapore but i don't know if i can because that means gluing it and i can't, because glue will ruin the balls.

Lets just see how the 2nd installment of the Christmas decoration project will go.

I'm feeling really festive right now, with the good news October left me. Thank God im so Blessed.

UPDATE: The second Installment only comprises of some minor lighting decorations outside the house.  bought some cheap led christmas lights down town.