Philippine President Benigno Simeon C. Aquino III already declared that July 27, 2014, as a national non-working holiday in observance of the Iglesia ni Cristo centennial anniversary. President Aquino signed the Joint Resolution No. 2, declaring July 27, 2014 as a special non-working holiday. Both houses of the Congress approved the joint resolution.
Earlier this month, the President signed Proclamation No. 815 declaring the Year 2014 as the Iglesia ni Cristo Centennial Year. Meanwhile, the Joint Resolution No. 2 is in accordance with Republic Act. no. 9645, which has designated the said date as a holiday “to observe the founding anniversary of the Iglesia ni Cristo every 27th of July in recognition of its exemplary feat of leading its members towards spiritual enlightenment and good citizenry.”
According to Communications Secretary Herminio Coloma Jr., announced on Sunday, July 20, 2014 that “The President signed Joint Resolution no. 2, declaring 27 July 2014 as a special non-working holiday to commemorate the founding anniversary of the INC.”
The Iglesia ni Cristo (INC) is the largest homegrown Christian church in the Philippines with confirmed ministries in at least 102 countries worldwide. This coming July 27, 2014, an estimated two million believers are expected to converge at the newly-built Philippine Arena in Ciudad de Victoria, Bocaue, Bulacan for the INC’s centennial celebration. The arena is said to be world’s largest doomed indoor arena and was inaugurated on Monday.
Meanwhile the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE), urged private companies and institutions to follow the Holiday Pay Rules for Special Non-Working Days.
Here’s the Pay Rules of a Special Non-Working Holiday:
If Unworked:
- No pay, unless there is a favorable company policy, practice or collective bargaining agreement (CBA) granting payment of wages on special days even if unworked
If worked:
- First 8 hours – plus 30% of the daily rate of 100%
- Excess of 8 hours – plus 30% of hourly rate on said day
Falling on the employee’s rest day and if worked
- First 8 hours – plus 50% of the daily rate of 100%
- Excess of 8 hours – plus 30% of hourly rate on said day
According to this news, the joint resolution declaring this date as special non-working holiday was based on RA 9645. But if you will review RA 9645 which was issued during Arroyo Administration, July 27 was declared as special working holiday. Quite confusing, can we clarify this one?
In section 3 of RA 9645 it does state that “..July 27 of every year is declared as a special non working holiday..”, but I never noted it being observed since it was approved in 2009, I would know hehe it falls on my birthday too.