Undas, the Filipino observance of All Saints’ Day and All Souls’ Day, runs Saturday, October 31 to Monday, November 2. Two of the three days are special non-working days, which for many workers means no pay.

Undas is a three-day weekend this year. Saturday, October 31 is an ordinary day. All Saints’ Day falls on Sunday, November 1. All Souls’ Day on Monday, November 2 was added by Malacañang, the presidential palace, as an additional special non-working day under Proclamation No. 1006. The proclamation’s stated reasons are to give families more time for cemetery visits and to promote domestic tourism.

The extra Monday matters most to workers whose pay doesn’t depend on showing up. For daily-paid workers, it can mean losing a day’s wage.

What the Monday Off Is Worth

Under Labor Advisory No. 18, issued by the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) on October 12, November 1 and 2 are special non-working days. On those days the rule is “no work, no pay.” A worker who stays home is not paid unless the employer has a policy, practice or collective bargaining agreement that says otherwise.

Workers who do report for duty earn 130 percent of their basic daily wage for the first eight hours. If the day is also their scheduled rest day, it rises to 150 percent. Overtime on either day earns another 30 percent of the applicable hourly rate.

For a household on daily wages, the cost of Undas is often the lost pay, more than any bus fare. The same rule applies again on November 16 to 18, which have been declared special non-working days in Metro Manila while the country hosts the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) Summit. The month’s only paid regular holiday is Bonifacio Day on Monday, November 30. Anyone who works that day earns double pay.

At the Cemeteries

Manila North Cemetery and Manila South Cemetery bar all vehicles from their grounds from October 29 to November 2. The deadlines for cleaning and repainting tombs have passed: October 27 at the North Cemetery and October 26 at the South Cemetery.

Visitors at both cemeteries may not bring alcohol, sharp objects, gambling items, loudspeakers or pets, and may not smoke or vape inside. Security checkpoints at the gates confiscate banned items. In past years, owners could reclaim them by presenting a claim stub. At 54 hectares, the North Cemetery is one of the largest in the country, and Sunday, November 1 is its busiest day. Crowds there have built from about 9 AM in past years, so earlier is easier.

The weather adds to the risk. This October’s El Niño heat has pushed DOLE to work on heat safeguards for outdoor workers such as delivery riders. Bring water, an umbrella for shade, and something to sit on.

On the Road

The Parañaque Integrated Terminal Exchange (PITX), the main bus terminal for trips south of Manila, expects about 1.9 million passengers from the week of October 25 through the end of Undas. The LRT-1 (Light Rail Transit Line 1) station at PITX has made the terminal easier to reach. The Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB) has issued special permits for 1,131 additional buses, including 402 on Northern Luzon routes and 290 on Central Luzon routes, and plans desks at major terminals from October 30 to November 2 to issue more on the spot.

Last year, about 554,000 passengers went through PITX from October 27 to 29 alone, so the crush comes before the weekend, not on it. The Philippine National Police (PNP) says about 72,500 officers are being deployed nationwide, or about 141,000 personnel counting partner agencies and community volunteers.

In past years, some provincial bus lines suspended trips on November 1 itself. Travelers headed to Bicol or the Visayas should confirm schedules with their bus company before going to the terminal.

Field Notes

• Long weekend: Saturday, October 31 (regular day) to Monday, November 2
• Special non-working days: Nov 1 (All Saints’ Day), Nov 2 (All Souls’ Day); “no work, no pay” unless company policy says otherwise
• Pay if you work: 130% of daily wage; 150% if it’s your rest day; plus 30% for overtime
• Manila North and South cemeteries: no vehicles Oct 29–Nov 2; no alcohol, sharp objects, gambling items, loudspeakers or pets; no smoking or vaping
• Bus travel: PITX expects about 1.9 million passengers; book ahead and confirm Nov 1 trips
• Next days off: Nov 16–18 (Metro Manila only, ASEAN Summit, special non-working); Nov 30 (Bonifacio Day, regular holiday, paid)