Quiapo Church, Manila (PNA photo by Joan Bondoc)
MANILA – President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. has declared January 9 as a special non-working day in the City of Manila given the Feast of the Black Nazarene.
Under Proclamation 434 inked by Marcos on Thursday, Jan. 9 is declared a holiday to allow devotees to take part in the activities related to the Feast of the Black Nazarene.
“On 09 January 2024, Tuesday, the City of Manila will mark the celebration of the Feast of the Black Nazarene,” the proclamation read.
“It is but fitting and proper that the people of the City of Manila be given full opportunity to participate in the occasion and enjoy the celebration,” it added.
Organizers of the 2024 Feast of the Black Nazarene Traslacion (transfer) announced last December that the same route used during the 2020 grand procession would be followed.
The procession will start from the Quirino Grandstand in Rizal Park and up to the Minor Basilica of the Black Nazarene or Quiapo Church along Quezon Boulevard.
It would mark the first time the Traslacion will return to its old format after the celebration was suspended from 2021 to 2023 because of the coronavirus disease 2019 pandemic.
Last year, a “Walk of Faith” was held at the Quiapo Church without the Traslacion and lured 1.2 million devotees over two days.
No work, no pay
Meanwhile, the "no work, no pay policy" will apply to workers in Manila on Jan. 9.
In a social media post, the National Wages and Productivity Commission (NWPC) said employees in the private sector who will report to work on the said day will receive an additional 30 percent of the salary received on that day.
“If the employee does not work, the "no work, no pay" principle shall apply unless there is a favorable company policy, practice, or collective bargaining agreement (CBA) granting payment on a special day,” it said.
On the other hand, an employee who will report to work during special day, the employer shall pay the worker an additional 30 percent of the basic wage on the first eight hours of work (Basic wage x 130 percent).
If the employee worked in excess of eight hours, he/she shall receive an additional 30 percent of the hourly rate on said day (Hourly rate of the basic wage x 130 percent x 130 percent x number of hours worked).
An employee will receive an additional 50 percent of the basic wage on the first eight hours of work (Basic wage x 150 percent), when he/she worked during the special day that also falls on his/her rest day.
For work done in excess of eight hours during the special day that also falls on the employee's rest day, the employer shall pay the employee an additional 30 percent of the hourly rate on said day (Hourly rate of the basic wage x 150 percent x 130 percent x number of hours worked). (with Ferdinand Patinio/PNA)
