With the holiday vibe already filling streets, malls, and parks across the country, the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) on Friday has once again urged employers to release the mandatory 13th month pay on or before the December 24 deadline.
In an interview on dzRH's Damdaming Bayan, DOLE Regional Director Alvin Curada reminded companies that the 13th month benefit is a legal obligation under Presidential Decree 851.
"Ang deadline ng 13th month pay. Dapat maibigay ito on or before December 24,” Curada stressed.
He added that DOLE continues to encourage employers to release the benefit earlier rather than waiting for the last permissible date.
"Ine-encourage namin ang employer na ibigay naman nang mas maaga. Karaniwan, ang aming advocacy: dapat kalahati sa June, kalahati naman sa December. Kung makakaya, dapat ay hati-hati, pwedeng per quarter, pwedeng per month kasi kung ibubuhos sa December 24, mahihirapan na rin ang ating mga manggagawa na bilhin ‘yung mga gusto nila. Hindi na rin magagamit ‘yung 13th month pay," he said.
Curada said many establishments already practice staggered payment to ease the financial load on employers while still ensuring workers receive their due benefits ahead of time.
Curada clarified that while the 13th month pay is required by law, bonuses are not.
“Ang bonus ay hindi minamandato ng batas, pero ito ay kabaitan ng employer. Marami pong employer ang nagbibigay ng bonus kasi it's a form of recognition ng kontribusyon ng manggagawa sa productivity ng negosyo at katapatan sa kanilang trabaho. Pero hindi ito minamandato," he noted.
Are employers who closed due to calamities still required to pay?
According to Curada, companies that shut down or suffered losses due to calamities 'remain obligated' to provide proportionate 13th month pay to their workers.
"Walang exception sa 13th month pay kasi kung nalugi ang company, yung mga manggagawa naman po ay naging biktima rin ng mga kalamidad. Walang exception sa batas," Curada explained.
Curada acknowledged the financial strain on affected employers but emphasized the need to uphold workers’ rights.
He also noted that DOLE does not encourage employers to take on debt to meet the requirement. Instead, the agency offers mediation support.
“Tumutulong kami, mayroon kaming conciliation and mediation services na tutulungan silang maghanap ng solusyon," he said. "It would help kung sila ay lalapit sa DOLE para makapag-usap sila at tutulungan sila ng aming conciliator-mediator."
Meanwhile, Curada confirmed that domestic workers—including helpers, kasambahays, and similar household employees—are entitled to the same mandated benefit.
He explained that their 13th month pay is computed based on their total basic salary received for the year.
“Total na natanggap na basic salary divided by 12...‘yan po ang kanilang 13th month pay. Kung wala silang absent, wala silang deduction, ang kanilang 13th month pay ay halos papantay sa kanilang one month pay,” he said.
