FILIPINO president Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo last week set out the new holiday schedule for the country.
During 2009 there will be “10 long holidays” which, according to the Philippine government’s press service, is consistent with “the president’s advocacy of domestic tourism and allowing Filipinos to have more time with their families”.
President Arroyo maintained that consultations were made with all sectors including the business community before issuing this year’s holiday list.
The first holiday is a three-day weekend before the Easter break. The observance of the Araw ng Kagitingan (Day of Valor) on 9 April has been moved to the nearest Monday, which is 6 April.
This is followed by the four-day Easter holiday from 9 April (Maundy Thursday) until 12 April (Easter Sunday).
Four regular holidays fall on either a Friday or a Monday, which results in three-day weekends. These are Labour Day on 1 May, which falls on a Friday; Independence Day on 12 June, also on a Friday; National Heroes Day on 31 August, which falls on a Monday; and Bonifacio Day on 30 November, also a Monday.
The other regular holidays are Christmas Day on 25 December which falls on a Friday, and Rizal Day on 30 December, a Wednesday.
President Arroyo also declared the following as ‘Special Non-Working Days’: Ninoy Aquino Day on 21 August, which falls on a Friday; All Saints Day on 1 November, a Sunday; and All Souls Day on 2 November, which falls on a Monday.
Christmas Eve on Thursday 24 December has also been declared as a ‘Special Non-Working Day’ this year. Another such day is New Year’s Eve on 31 December, a Thursday.
