The number of non-working days this Holy Week rose from three to four when President Arroyo issued Presidential Proclamation 1048 declaring April 15, Black Saturday or Sabado de Gloria, as a special non-working day.

April 13, Maundy Thursday, and April 14, Good Friday, are regular holidays while Sunday, April 16, is a regular rest day for public and private sector workers.

In issuing Presidential Proclamation 1048, Mrs. Arroyo said it will enable Filipinos, most of whom embrace the Catholic faith, to have the opportunity to ponder on the significance of the Holy Week without prejudice to public interest.

The President, who went to Baguio City with members of her Cabinet for a two-day Holy Week retreat at the Presidential Mansion, said she recognizes the significance of this occasion for the Catholic faithful.

Labor Secretary Patricia A. Sto. Tomas said when a day is declared special non-working day, the principle of "no work, no pay" applies unless there is a favorable company policy, practice or collective bargaining agreement (CBA) granting payment on a special day even if the day is unworked.

But Sto. Tomas explained that even if the day is unworked, the pay is the employee’s daily rate plus 30 percent for the first eight hours of work, and for work in excess of eight hours, plus 30 percent of the hourly rate on the said day.

If the day falls on the employee’s rest day and is worked, the employee’s daily rate plus 50 percent shall apply on the first eight hours of work, and for work in excess of eight hours, plus 30 percent of the hourly rate on the said day.