Release workers’ 13th month pay for the one month without work due to NCR quarantine —Año

The government has recommended to employers to release the 13th month pay of employees who would be affected by the one-month community quarantine in Metro Manila.

“Kung puwede magamit na sana ang 13th month pay pambayad na dito sa isang buwan na hindi makakapagtrabaho,” Interior Secretary Eduardo Año said in a press conference on Saturday.

Trade Secretary Ramon Lopez, likewise, said that giving out workers’ 13th month pay will compensate for the one month they won’t be able to report to work.

Apart from giving employees their 13th month pay, employers were advised by Año to adjust work schedules, adopt flexible arrangements as well as allow workers the use of their leave credits and other privileges.

The Metropolitan Manila Development Authority will impose a curfew in the National Capital Region as part of community quarantine measures to contain the spread of COVID-19.

Effective Sunday, March 15, Metro Manila will have a curfew from 8 p.m. to 5 a.m.

The curfew will last until April 14.

The government raised the Code Red Sub-Level 2 alert on Thursday due to the rising number of COVID-19 infections in the country.

President Rodrigo Duterte announced tougher measures to combat the spread of COVID-19, including work and class suspensions as well as travel restrictions, as part of community quarantine in Metro Manila. —KG, GMA News