'Provide 13th month pay before December 24' - DOLE-CAR

Baguio City, Philippines – Despite the challenges and impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the economy, the Department of Labor and Employment-Cordillera reminded employers from the private sector to give the 13th month pay of their employees before December 24.

Regional Director of DOLE-CAR Nathaniel Lacambra, in an interview with PTV Cordillera on December 10, reiterated that their labor inspectors are supervising if employers are providing the benefits of their employees, especially the 13th-month pay.

Lacambra explained that the 13th-month pay, which is equivalent to one-twelfth (1/12) of an employee’s basic annual salary, remains to be a legal obligation under Presidential Decree No. 851.

In a separate interview with the same news outlet, Assistant Regional Director Atty. Anthony Wooden Jr. said there is no penalty or punishment for distressed employers who would not be able to pay their employees on time.

However, the department obliged employers of private companies to pay the due benefit of their workers to avoid complaints and for workers to have something to use, especially since Christmas is approaching.

“Siguro ang mas maigi na gawin nila is makipag-usap sa mga empleyado nila para pag-usapan kung paano nila babayaran kasi kung pwede naman po sigurong makiusap sila sa mga empleyado. Basta importante, mag-aagree yung empleyado sa kanila kung paano nila babayaran yung 13 month pay,” suggested Wooden.

Director Lacambra stressed that they are closely monitoring if the benefits of employees are given appropriately. If not, the employees shall be penalized with the total amount that they were not able to pay for their employees.

“Pinapapuntahan ko yan ng Labor Inspector at tinitignan po nila hindi lang ang hindi pagbayad ng 13 month pay, pinapacheck ko na din kung tama ba ang pasahod, tama ba ang overtime, tama ang lahat ng benepisyong binibigay ng ating mga namumuhunan, kung makikita na kulang, yun ang magiging halos penalty nila na damay pati mga ibang hindi nabibigyan” underscored the DOLE regional director.

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