Rody wishes Chinese Pinoys more achievements

DAVAO CITY – President Duterte hopes the Chinese New Year being celebrated today will “bring hope, inspiration and more achievements” for the Chinese-Filipino community and the entire nation – but there will be no firecrackers and fireworks to be set off here for the occasion.

Firecrackers and fireworks are believed to scare away evil spirits or bad luck as people ring in another year, but these have been banned in this city for more than 17 years now.

Duterte, 73, who was born in the Year of the Rooster, prohibited the use of firecrackers and fireworks when he was still mayor of the city.

But there will be the usual lion dance featured in the local Chinatown and other establishments, especially restaurants, offering Chinese food.

To make noise during the celebrations, Dabawenyos make do with clanging of cooking pots and pans or cans or blowing of horns, among others.

Meanwhile, the President is taking an extended stay here in his hometown since he was reported to have skipped an event in Leyte last Friday because he was a bit sick and needed to rest.

But Duterte has also been holding private meetings.

The President earlier mocked those who reported that he died through videos posted by his partner, Honeylet Avanceña on social media on Sunday.

Improved ties

Duterte also cited yesterday the improved ties between the Philippines and China in his message for the Chinese New Year and expressed hope that the two countries would continue to work towards peace and understanding.

Duterte said the friendship and cooperation forged between Manila and Beijing have led to “greater prosperity and economic growth” for both nations and “gave rise to a unique culture that is nurtured by harmony amidst diversity.”

“Together, let us cultivate the values and ideals that fuel our strong resolve to usher in a period of greater peace and understanding as we rise higher above the challenges ahead,” he added.

The Philippines and China are embroiled in a longstanding dispute over parts of the West Philippine (South China) Sea, a busy sealane where about $5 trillion in trade passes through every year. Malaysia, Vietnam, Brunei and Taiwan also have overlapping claims in the potentially oil-and-gas rich area.

Duterte has expressed readiness to set aside the maritime row to improve the Philippines’ ties with China but vowed to bring up the issue before Chinese leaders within his term.

Critics have accused Duterte of abandoning Philippine maritime interests in the South China Sea in exchange for Chinese aid but officials denied this.

No work, no pay

Meanwhile, the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) announced yesterday that workers are not getting any pay if they opt not to report for work and just enjoy the holiday today.

DOLE said the “no work and no pay” policy applies for the Chinese New Year, which has been declared a nonworking holiday.

“If the employee does not report for work, the ‘no work, no pay’ principle shall apply unless there is a favorable company policy, practice or collective bargaining agreement granting payment on a special day,” DOLE said.

Under the rules issued by DOLE, work done on special holiday shall be paid an additional 30 percent for the first eight hours of work.

Work done in excess of eight hours shall be an additional 30 percent or hourly rate.

But for work done that also falls on employee’s rest day, he/she shall be paid an additional 50 percent of basic wage on the first eight hours and additional 30 percent shall be given for overtime.