Senate Minority Leader Vicente Sotto III has filed a bill requiring private sector employers to grant workers a 14th month pay on top of the mandated 13th month pay, citing the need to ease the burden of rising costs and educational expenses.
Sotto noted that Presidential Decree 851, which requires 13th month pay, was enacted in 1976.
“After almost five decades, the needs and cost of living of every Filipino worker have drastically changed, thus it is high time that employees in the private sector receive their 14th month pay,” he added.
Under the bill, the 13th month pay must be released by June 14 to help with school expenses, while the 14th month pay should be given by December 24 to cover holiday and year-end costs.
The measure will cover all non-government rank-and-file employees, kasambahays, and others entitled to 13th month pay, provided they have worked at least one month in the year.
Exempted are distressed companies, non-profit institutions suffering major income losses, and employers already giving a 14th month pay or its equivalent.
Sotto stressed the proposal balances worker welfare with employer capacity, ensuring relief for employees without overburdening struggling businesses.IMT
