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DFA launches e-Apostille service; first in Asean region
MANILA, Philippines — The Department of Foreign Affairs Office of Consular Affairs (DFA – OCA) announced that it launched an e-Apostille service for civil registry documents. DFA said the system will allow the public to apply online for e-documents and e-Apostilles from the Philippine Statistics Agency (PSA) without having to appear in both offices. Foreign Affairs.....»»
DOLE-Davao affirms even contractual workers entitled to 13th-month pay
Contrary to common belief, the Department of Labor and Employment-Davao Region (Dole-Davao Region) has clarified that even contractual employees in both the public and private sectors are entitled to receive the mandatory 13th-month pay. However, the inclusion of work bonuses is at the discretion of the management or employers. Rojell Cruz, head of the Dole-Davao Region Labor Standards Unit, emphasized that the 13th-month pay is a legal requirement that all employees must adhere to. He stated that contractual employees, including those in job contracting or working for a contractor, are still entitled to the 13th-month pay, especially if they are paid daily. Cruz further explained that while employers are obligated to pay their employees the 13th month, providing additional bonuses is the management's prerogative. Noriza Mabanding, a full-time medical student and virtual assistant, confirmed that she receives the 13th-month pay despite working for foreign-based accounts. She expressed gratitude that her employers adhere to the constitutional provisions. According to Presidential Decree No. 851, all employees are mandated to provide this benefit to rank-and-file employees by the end of each year. The compensation for the 13th month must be at least one-twelfth.....»»
Come hell, high water,Christmas comes
Despite challenges from inflation and other difficulties because of the geopolitical shifts, Filipinos still look forward to celebrating Christmas on expectations of bonuses and the observance of family traditions. Based on historical data, Kantar, the world’s leading marketing data and analytics company, expects households to increase their spendings on food and beverage during the holidays compared to ordinary months. “The Christmas spirit is felt as early as September. Spending in the fast-moving consumer goods typically starts in December when Filipinos receive additional disposable income through their 13th month pay and other incentives,” Nino Nierva, account director, Worldpanel Division, Kantar Philippines, said. “What we’ve observed, based on our analyses of the spending habits of over 5,000 households’ year-on-year, is that Filipinos spend mostly on food and beverage items from December to January versus the rest of the year.” There is a spending uplift of 7 percent in the total FMCG segment during the height of the Christmas season last year, or from December 2022 to January 2023, compared to other months, or from February to November. This translates to approximately P6 billion more spent every month within the holiday period. Specifically, Filipinos spent 11 percent more on food and 9 percent more on beverage categories during the holidays. This trend also extends to dairy products (6 percent higher), which include all-purpose cream and condensed milk that are key ingredients of fruit salad, a staple Christmas dessert in the country. In contrast, the health and beauty category takes a back seat during this same period based on a 4 percent decline in growth last year, according to Kantar’s study. Season of eating, shopping Data from Kantar further showed that holiday feasts must-haves will continue to take-over the shopping baskets of Filipinos in the remaining months of the year. These items, which registered significant growth in December 2022, are expected to remain a priority for households. These are spreads (up 34 percent), canned fruits (up 25 percent), alcoholic beverages (up 24 percent), noodles and pasta sauces (up 21 percent), lechon sauce (up 17 percent), condensed milk (up 9 percent), mayonnaise (up 8 percent), and all-purpose cream (up 6 percent). However, Kantar notes that inflation continues to impact FMCG in terms of pack size and brand choices. In particular, households, strapped for cash, may buy less holiday meal staples like pasta sauces or cheese, and may choose to purchase more affordable brands of canned fruits, all-purpose cream and noodles. Tight budget not a problem While Filipinos continue to patronize sari-sari stores, they will still visit hypermarkets, supermarkets and groceries to check their options during the holiday season. According to Kantar, Filipinos still buy from sari-sari stores and they spend an average of P1,309 per month during the holidays. This is followed by hyper and supermarkets where 7 out of 10 homes visit the channel with an average monthly spend of P1,559. Aside from their own purchases, households will likewise make extra room in their pantry for FMCG products that they receive as gifts. The post Come hell, high water,Christmas comes appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
P11.6 billion released for teachers’ bonuses
The Department of Budget and Management has released P11.6 billion as part of the performance-based bonuses of over 900,000 education personnel for 2021......»»
DepEd teachers 2021 bonus out — DBM
In a statement, the DBM said it has released P11.6 billion for the release of the teachers’ performance-based bonuses (PBB)......»»
13th month pay
Dear Atty. Kathy, I checked the compensation and benefits policy of our new company, X, and I noticed that X does not have any provision for 13th Month Pay for its rank-and-file employees. X only has a provision for a Christmas Bonus equivalent to one and a half (1.5) months basic salary for all employees, not just rank-and-file employees, which is scheduled to be released on the last working day of November every year. When I clarified with HR, I was told that the Christmas Bonus is already the 13th Month Pay. However, shouldn’t X be required to pay the 13th Month Pay, which is a mandatory benefit? Jesse **** Dear Jesse, Presidential Decree No. 851 — REQUIRING ALL EMPLOYERS TO PAY THEIR EMPLOYEES A 13TH-MONTH PAY, provides that employers already paying their employees a 13th-month pay or its equivalent are not covered by the Decree (Section 2). Further, the Rules and Regulations Implementing PD No. 851 provides that the Decree shall apply to all employers except to employers already paying their employees 13-month pay or more in a calendar year or its equivalent at the time of said issuance (where the term “its equivalent” shall include Christmas bonus, mid-year bonus, profit-sharing payments and other cash bonuses amounting to not less than 1/12th of the basic salary) (Section 3). In accordance with the above provisions, and based solely on your narration, your Company does not have to pay employees any additional 13th Month Pay, since your Company has already complied with the required 13th Month Pay, by way of the Christmas Bonus, which is even more than the required amount of the 13th Month Pay, and is given well in advance of the last day of payment of the 13th Month Pay on December 24, which is more favorable to the employee. However, while no longer required under the circumstances, X still has an option to provide employees the 13th Month Pay, in addition to the Christmas Bonus being given. Atty. Kathy Larios The post 13th month pay appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
DepEd personnel to receive anniversary bonus
More than 958,000 teaching and non-teaching personnel will receive P3,000 bonus from the Department of Education as part of the weeklong celebration of the agency’s 125th founding anniversary. Based on the DepEd Order No. 11, s. 2023 entitled “Policy on the Grant of Anniversary Bonus in the Department of Education,” eligible DepEd personnel shall receive an anniversary bonus not exceeding P3,000, provided that they have rendered at least one year of service in the agency as of the date of the milestone year. The issuance states that all DepEd officials and employees employed on a full-time or part-time basis, permanent, coterminous, provisional, temporary, casual or contractual, whose employment is in the nature of regular employee, are eligible for the grant of anniversary bonus. On the other hand, who are absent without leave or no longer in the service as of 23 June, were found guilty of any offense in connection with their work during the five-year interval between the milestone years, as well as consultants, contract of service, job orders similarly situated, is not covered by the grant. In addition, the issuance aims to provide a multi-year policy guideline on the grant of anniversary bonuses to all DepEd officials and employees for every milestone year starting fiscal year 2023, and the milestone years thereafter. Founded on 23 June 1898, DepEd is mandated to provide quality basic education to learners, celebrates its 125th anniversary this year. Milestone years are defined as the government agency's 15th anniversary and every fifth year after that. The grant of the anniversary bonus shall not be earlier than 23 June of the milestone year. The post DepEd personnel to receive anniversary bonus appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
Demoralization rocks PNP personnel, retirees (2)
Below is the continuation of the reply of retired General Romeo V. Poquiz on the proposal of Finance Secretary Benjamin Diokno to reprogram the military and police retirement pension: “3. You said that pension indexation, where the retiree’s pension increases when the salary of those in the active service increases, must be stopped. Why pick only on the military or MUP? Indexation is also the case for pensioners in the Judiciary (judges and prosecutors), the Constitutional Commissions (Comelec, CoA, CSC), and the Energy Regulatory Commission. This is also the practice in most foreign armed forces. Further, we waited decades before the full implementation of indexation and it was only a couple of years back when the indexation was finally completed. You said the MUP pension scheme is unsustainable and will lead to fiscal collapse. Again, why pick on us only? As finance manager and as the highest-paid government official, it is your duty to explore all available options to solve the problem. You can start by returning most of your unconscionable P41.81 million annual salary, allowances, and bonuses, including those of your BSP colleagues. The law fixed your salary only at P150,000 monthly or P1.8 million annually, yet you received P41.81 million. You can also stop the pork barrel allocations of lawmakers and go after corrupt officials in all the departments, especially the revenue agencies under you — BIR and Customs. Further, improve the business climate in the country so that your touted investors in your many foreign travels may finally come and do business in the country. You said we receive huge pensions compared to SSS and GSIS and that the scheme stipulates we get pensions based on the rate of the next higher rank when we retire. Again, no point of comparison between military and civilian retiree entitlements. Also, you must have missed the gargantuan pensions aside from the huge salary and allowances plus the golden parachutes of high SSS and GSIS officials. Much more for you and your colleagues at the BSP who all belong to the top ten highest-paid government officials but only do minimal work in the comfort and safety of your fully air-conditioned suites and offices. Further, the MUP pension is very small when compared to international armed forces standards. You brought out the elephant in the room, Mr. Secretary. Go then, do your job, without opening your mouth too much, and without picking a fight against us military retirees. Even in the twilight of our lives, we fight our battles well. Sincerely, Romeo V. Poquiz MGen. AFP (Ret) Military Pensioner” The arguments expounded by the retired general demolished the rationale behind the mangling of the military and police pension as articulated by the Secretary of Finance. The latter, for his enlightenment, should thoroughly go over the response of the collective voice of the retirees as articulated by retired General Poquiz. (To be continued) The post Demoralization rocks PNP personnel, retirees (2) appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
ED attaches asset worth Rs 70 lakh in bank fraud implicating Hyderabad-based Jasleen Enterprises
New Delhi [India], March 28 (ANI): The Directorate of Enforcement (ED) has attached an immovable property valued at Rs 70 lakh in a bank fraud case involving Jasleen Enterprises headquartered in Hyderabad. The Hyderabad division of the ED attached the fixed asset in accordance with the stipulations outlined in the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA) of 2002. ED initiated investigation on the basis of First Informati.....»»
Casino gaming around the globe
Gaming has always been a popular human activity. Long before land-based casinos were built, casino games existed and flourished. Bingo, for example, first appeared in.....»»
Church visits are allowed only until 10 p.m. – Police chief
CEBU CITY, Philippines – Church visits on Maundy Thursday will only be allowed until 10 p.m. the chief of the Cebu City police announced on Thursday, March 28. Police Colonel Ireneo B. Dalogdog, City Director of the Cebu City Police Office (CCPO) said that the public is not allowed inside religious places past 10:00 p.m......»»
CV wage board sets public hearing for kasambahay pay
CV wage board sets public hearing for kasambahay pay.....»»
Tothapi may bagong single, ka-join na sa Sony Music family
LEVEL up ang breakthrough Bicol-based band na Tothapi! Sila kasi ang pinakabagong pamilya ng Sony Music Entertainment na kinabibilangan ng ilan sa mga biggest OPM acts ng bansa, katulad ng Ben&Ben, SB19, Denise Julia, Clara Benin, Ace Banzuelo, The Itchyworms, Sponge Cola, at marami pang iba. “It has been an amazing ride with Sony Music.....»»
Hoffman boosts bid for Paris Paris
Olympics hopeful Lauren Hoffman yesterday set a new national record in the women’s 400-meter hurdles with a gold medal performance in the Hurricane Collegiate Invitational in Coral Gables, Florida......»»
Infrastructure projects get better loan terms from Japan
The Philippines has secured better financing terms for two big-ticket infrastructure projects funded by the Japanese government aimed at improving public transport and road connectivity......»»
Killua
News on the brutal killing of Killua, the Golden Retriever from Bato, Camarines Sur, has ignited a wave of public outcry, particularly among animal-loving Filipinos......»»
Oplan Harabas yields 3 drivers positive for drugs
FOLLOWING the surprise drug test conducted by the Land Transportation Office (LTO)-Davao and the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) on public utility vehicles (PUVs) last March 26, 2024, two taxi drivers in Davao City were found to be positive for drugs......»»
Waste consciousness urged during Holy Week
A DAVAO City-based environment group urged Dabawenyos to mind their waste during Holy Week......»»
88% of Pinoys oppose Cha-cha – Pulse Asia
Public opinion on Charter change, which last year was roughly divided among Filipinos, is now largely skewed toward those opposed to changing the country’s Constitution, a survey conducted by Pulse Asia showed......»»
EDITORIAL - Finally, plastic license cards
It says a lot about the quality of governance and ease of doing business in this country that it takes forever just to obtain a plastic driver’s license card......»»