MANILA, Philippines — Filipino workers and private-sector employers are being reminded to get their payroll calculations right as two nationwide holidays arrive this August, with different pay rules applying to August 21 and August 31.
The Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) said employers must observe the proper wage rules for Ninoy Aquino Day on Friday, August 21, 2026, and National Heroes Day on Monday, August 31, 2026.
The reminder is particularly important for employees who are scheduled to work during either holiday because the applicable premium can significantly increase their pay—depending on whether the date is a special non-working day or a regular holiday, and whether it coincides with their scheduled rest day.
August 21: Special Non-Working Day
Under DOLE Labor Advisory No. 13, Series of 2026, August 21, Ninoy Aquino Day, is classified as a Special (Non-Working) Day.
For employees who do not work, the general rule is “no work, no pay,” unless their employer has a more favorable company policy, established practice, or collective bargaining agreement that provides payment for the day.
Employees who are required to work on August 21 are entitled to:
- 130% of their basic wage for the first eight hours.
- If August 21 falls on the employee’s rest day, the rate increases to 150% for the first eight hours.
- Overtime work receives an additional 30% of the applicable hourly rate.
In simple terms, an employee earning a basic daily wage of ₱1,000 who works eight hours on August 21 would generally receive ₱1,300 for the day. If that date is also the worker’s scheduled rest day, the corresponding amount would be ₱1,500, before applicable overtime computations.
August 31: National Heroes Day Means Regular-Holiday Pay
The bigger pay difference comes on Monday, August 31, which is National Heroes Day and a Regular Holiday under the official 2026 holiday calendar.
For qualified employees who do not work on the regular holiday, they are generally entitled to 100% of their daily wage, subject to the applicable conditions under DOLE rules.
One key condition is that the employee must have reported for work or been on paid leave on the workday immediately preceding the holiday. If that preceding day is itself a non-working day or the employee’s scheduled rest day, the applicable preceding-workday rule applies.
For employees who work on August 31, the pay is substantially higher:
- 200% of the basic wage for the first eight hours.
- An additional 30% of the hourly rate applies for overtime beyond eight hours.
- If the regular holiday also falls on the employee’s rest day, the first eight hours are paid at 260% of the basic wage.
- Overtime on a regular holiday that also falls on a rest day carries the applicable additional 30% premium.
So, for illustration, a worker with a ₱1,000 basic daily wage who works eight hours on August 31 would generally receive ₱2,000 for the day. If August 31 is also that employee’s scheduled rest day, the applicable first-eight-hour rate would be ₱2,600.
Why Workers Should Check Their Payslips
The two August holidays may look similar because both create long-weekend opportunities, but their legal classifications are different.
August 21 is a Special (Non-Working Day, while August 31 is a Regular Holiday. That distinction determines whether the default rule is “no work, no pay” and whether employees receive 130%, 150%, 200% or 260% of their basic wage under the applicable circumstances.
The rules are part of the government’s broader enforcement of statutory labor standards. DOLE has issued similar reminders for other 2026 holidays, emphasizing that employers must follow the prescribed holiday-pay computations and that workers are entitled to the benefits required by law.
Employers should therefore review their payroll systems and employee schedules before the holidays, while workers should check their attendance records, rest-day schedules and payslips to ensure the correct rate was applied.
What Workers Need to Remember
August 21, Friday — Ninoy Aquino Day
- Special (Non-Working) Day
- No work: generally no pay, unless company policy, practice or CBA provides otherwise
- Work: 130%
- Work on rest day: 150%
- Overtime: additional applicable premium
August 31, Monday — National Heroes Day
- Regular Holiday
- Qualified employees who do not work: 100%
- Work: 200%
- Work on rest day: 260%
- Overtime: additional applicable premium
DOLE said employers and workers should observe the prescribed rules to ensure that holiday wages are correctly paid. The complete provisions are contained in Labor Advisory No. 13, Series of 2026.
For workers, the key takeaway is simple: don’t assume every August holiday means the same thing on your payslip. The date, holiday classification, whether you worked, and whether it was your rest day can all change the amount you should receive.
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