Duterte cites Chinese contribution to Phl economy
In yet another sign of the country’s good relations with Beijing, President Duterte greeted members of the local Chinese community as they mark the Chinese New Year.
The President yesterday expressed appreciation for both the Chinese and Filipino-Chinese communities’ contribution to the country’s economy, culture and history.
In a one- page message, Duterte welcomed the new year under the Chinese lunar calendar, describing it as opportunities for “change” that can “mean a forward move, a rising or a leap towards a better station, a steady ground, a reason to be grateful for and proud for the gift of life and the fulfillment of our aspirations.”
“The government shares the joys and hopes of our Chinese friends and Chinese Filipinos who have found a root and reason for staying in the country. They have enriched the Filipino culture and history on their own,” he said.
The Department of Labor and Employment also reminded businesses to comply with the pay rules for the event, which had been declared a special non-working holiday by Malacañang.
Former Senate president Edgardo Angara and son now Sen. Juan Edgardo Angara pushed for the declaration of Chinese New Year as a special non-working holiday, a measure approved in 2013.
“As we celebrate the onset of the Chinese New Year, we must also observe the proper pay rules for our workers in the private sector,” said Labor Secretary Silvestre Bello III in a statement.
In his message, Duterte noted how the Chinese have contributed to the economy through trade and investments, as well as in cuisine.
“Their cuisine has been dearly familiar in many Filipino homes. Their philosophy and attitude in life are a wellspring of practical lessons that all of us, regardless of nationality, can learn from,” Duterte said. “May all of us develop more appreciation of our heritage as two distinct yet intertwined peoples and further fortify the goodwill that we have shared over the years.”
Since he assumed office, Duterte has started to pivot to China as part of his crafting of a more independent foreign policy – seen as veering away from the US.
“To everyone else who believes in the miracle of beginnings and who makes a choice for hope against fear, my best wishes on this auspicious season of the Chinese New Year,” Duterte said.
On the holiday pay, Bello said promoting workers’ welfare and protection by observing proper pay rules and other core labor standards would encourage productive and efficient workers.
“Compliance is good for business. It is good for the workers. It is good for all,” he added.
Under existing pay rules for a special non-working day, the “no-work, no-pay” policy would apply to an employee who opts not to work today “unless there is a favorable company policy, practice or collective bargaining agreement granting payment on a special day.”
If an employee worked, he shall be paid 130 percent of his daily rate on the first eight hours of work plus an additional 30 percent of his hourly rate for overtime work rendered on the holiday.