The Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) has issued a crucial reminder to all private sector establishments across the Philippines. Companies must ensure they submit their mandatory compliance reports regarding the 13th month pay benefit for their employees. The deadline for this submission is set for January 15, 2026, as per the latest labor advisory.
Submission Deadline and Portal Mandate
Under Labor Advisory No. 16 - 2025, DOLE has made it clear that every employer is required to file their 13th month pay compliance report on or before the specified January deadline. The department explicitly stated that the submission must be done digitally through the official DOLE Online Compliance Portal at reports.dole.gov.ph. This online system streamlines the process and ensures a centralized record of compliance from businesses nationwide.
What Must the Compliance Report Include?
The report is not a simple declaration. DOLE requires specific, detailed information from each company to verify proper implementation of the law. The mandatory details that must be included in the submission are:
- The complete business name and registered address of the establishment.
- The primary product or service that defines the company's core business.
- The total number of workers employed by the company.
- The number of employees who actually received the 13th month pay benefit.
- The exact amount given to each employee and the grand total disbursed by the company.
- The name, official position, and contact telephone number of the person authorized to provide and certify the information.
Legal Basis and Payment Deadline Reminder
This requirement is grounded in Presidential Decree No. 851, which obligates all private sector employers to grant a 13th month pay to their rank-and-file employees. DOLE took the opportunity to reiterate the core rule of the benefit: the 13th month pay itself must be given to eligible workers on or before December 24, 2025. The compliance report due in January 2026 is essentially a proof of this payment, allowing the labor department to monitor and enforce adherence to this fundamental worker entitlement.
Failure to submit the report by the January 15, 2026, deadline may result in penalties or inspections from DOLE. Employers are urged to prepare the necessary payroll data and company information well in advance to ensure a smooth and timely filing process through the designated online portal.
