The Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) Chief Gen. Gilbert Gapay met with Muslim leaders in Metro Manila to discuss anti-terrorism efforts in the country.

Gapay said the meeting aims to join the forces of the military and Muslim leaders to curb terrorism and other criminal activities that plague the country.

“Our common aspiration is for the good of everyone. Peace, development, security and stability for our country is our primordial concern,” he said.

The AFP official also said the military wants to boost communication with all communities to give the public a better understanding of the military’s goals, especially when implementing anti-terrorism guidelines.

He also wants to further protect schools and orphanages against possible terrorist group recruitment.

“It is also our common aspiration to protect and shield the educational institution, including madaris (Islamic schools) from unscrupulous sectors of society,” Gapay added. AAC (with reports from Lea Ylagan)

MANILA, Philippines —Labor Secretary Silvestre Bello III reminds employers in the private sector to observe the rules in the computation of wages for August holidays.

A statement from the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) on Thursday (August 20) said that additional pay is prescribed during the special non-working holiday on August 21 or the Ninoy Aquino Day, and on August 31 or the National Heroes Day, which is a regular holiday.

The advisory, however, noted that the Labor Department allows employers to defer the payment of the holiday pay on August 31, 2020, until the present health emergency situation on coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic has been abated.

Furthermore, establishments that have totally closed or ceased operation during the community quarantine period are exempted from the payment of holiday pay imposed by the advisory.

MANILA, Philippines – The Office of the President has released the official list of regular and special holidays for 2020.

Signed by President Rodrigo Duterte on Friday (November 15), Proclamation No. 845 declares the regular holidays and special (non-working) days for the year 2020 that will be observed nationwide, as follows:

Regular Holidays

• New Year’s Day – January 1, Wednesday
• Araw ng Kagitingan – April 9, Thursday
• Maundy Thursday – April 9
• Good Friday – April 10
• Labor Day – May 1, Friday
• Independence Day – June 12, Friday
• National Heroes Day – August 31, Monday
• Bonifacio Day – November 30, Monday
• Christmas Day – December 25, Friday
• Rizal Day – December 30, Wednesday

Special Non-Working Holidays

• Chinese New Year – January 25, Saturday
• EDSA People Power Revolution Anniversary – February 25, Tuesday
• Black Saturday – April 11, Saturday
• Ninoy Aquino Day – August 21, Friday
• All Saints’ Day – November 1, Sunday
• Feast of the Immaculate Conception – December 8, Tuesday
• Last Day of the Year – December 31, Thursday

Additional Special Non-Working Days

• November 2, Monday
• December 24, Thursday

The proclamation further reads that separate proclamations declaring national holidays for the observance of Eidul Fitr and Eidul Adha will be issued in accordance with the Islamic calendar or the lunar calendar, whichever is possible or convenient.

It adds that “the National Commission on Muslim Filipinos shall inform the Office of the President the actual dates on which these holidays shall respectively fall.” /mbmf