The national government has officially declared that October 31 will be observed as a special non‑working holiday across the Philippines.
This decision aims to provide families with additional time to travel, reflect, and prepare for the upcoming observance of All Saints’ Day on November 1.
For employers and employees, the declaration also carries implications for how wages are computed if work is performed on this day. The Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) has reminded establishments that since October 31 is a “special non‑working holiday,” the usual “no work, no pay” rule generally applies unless company policy or a collective bargaining agreement says otherwise.
Here’s a quick breakdown:
- If an employee does not work on October 31 and the company does not have a policy granting pay anyway, they generally will not be paid for the day.
- If an employee works on the special day, they are entitled to a premium—usually 130 % of their basic wage for the first eight hours. Additional overtime pay rules apply for work done beyond eight hours.
Because this day precedes All Saints’ Day and falls during a period of increased travel (commonly referred to as “Undas” in the Philippines), the extra day off is expected to help ease travel logistics, allow families to spend time together, and reduce stress on transit systems.