Malacañang said the government could still restore the additional pay for workers during the three “reclassified” holidays this year if the economy reopens in the coming months.
Presidential spokesperson Harry Roque issued the statement after Presidential Proclamation 1107, which reclassified All Soul’s Day (Nov. 2), Christmas Eve (Dec. 24), and December 31 from a special non-working holiday to a special working holiday.
The changed effectively removes the holiday pay of employees who will report for duty on the three dates.
The proclamation drew public criticism, particularly from labor sector and lawmakers who claimed it will “demoralize” employees for preventing them from earning additional income.
“Let us see what happens. Nothing is etched in stone. Maybe now that we have the vaccine, we may no longer need to make up [for the lost workdays],” Roque said in an online press briefing on Tuesday.
Roque explained President Rodrigo R. Duterte issued proclamation 1107 in response to the recommendation economic managers to allow companies and daily paid workers to recover from economic impact caused by the novel coronavirus disease (Covid-19) pandemic.
The quarantine restrictions imposed by the government since March 2020 with the onset of pandemic disrupted the operations of many businesses.
Duterte said he may allow the nationwide easing of quarantine restrictions if the government is able secure the necessary stockpile of Covid-19 vaccine.