OZAMIZ CITY: As usual, the country
sets 20 holidays to be observed nationwide this year, by virtue of Presidential
Proclamation No. 831, issued by President Benigno S. Aquino III last July 17,
2014.
Philippine national holidays are
divided into either regular or nationwide special holidays, aside from many local holidays which are
applicable only to certain cities, municipalities, or barangays.
Some Philippines holidays have a
fixed date while some others are observed on different dates every year.
For this year, there will be 12 regular
holidays, 5 special non-working days, 2 additional special non-working days and
a special holiday for schools only, executive secretary Paquito N. Ochoa, said.
The regular holidays are New Year’s
Day, January 1; Maunday Thursday on April 2 and Good Friday on April 3;
Araw ng Kagitingan, April 9, and Labor Day, May 1.
June 12 is Independence Day, August
31 is National Heroes Day, Nov. 30--Bonifacio Day, Dec. 25--Christmas Day, and Dec.
20--Rizal Day.
Specific dates for two regular
holidays: Eid’l Fitr and Eid’l Adha, both Islamic holidays, have yet to be
determined in accordance with the Islamic calendar, Hijra or the lunar calendar,
or upon Islamic astronomical calculations.
Also, the five special non-working days
are: Chinese New Year on February 19, Black Saturday on April 4; Ninoy Aquino
Day on August 21; All Saints Day on Nov. 1; and Last Day of the Year, Dec. 31.
Likewise, the two additional special
non-working days are: January 2, and Dec. 24, while February 25, the EDSA
People Power Revolution Day, is a holiday for schools, only.
The President has tasked DOLE to
promulgate the implementing guidelines for the wages of employees relative to
this Proclamation, Ochoa also said. (WITH REPORTS FROM PIA)