2008 Philippine Holidays Update

PGMA issues Proclamation No. 1463 setting the dates of 2008 regular and special holidays

President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo has issued Proclamation No. 1463 setting the specific dates of movable holidays as mandated by Republic Act No. 9492 which rationalized the celebration of the country’s holidays.

President Arroyo signed the proclamation on Feb. 18, the day she declared Feb. 25, 2008 (Monday) as a Special (Non-Working) Day nationwide to mark the 22nd anniversary of the 1986 EDSA People Power Revolution.

R.A. 9492 provides that holidays, except those which are religious in nature, are moved to the nearest Monday unless otherwise modified by law, order or proclamation.

This year, the following regular holidays shall fall on the following dates:

• Maundy Thursday (March 20, Thursday);
• Good Friday (March 21, Friday);
• Araw ng Kagitingan (April 7, Monday nearest April 9);
• Labor Day (May 1, Thursday);
• Independence Day (June 9, Monday nearest June 12);
• National Heroes’ Day (Aug. 25, last Monday of August);
• Bonifacio Day (Dec. 1, Monday nearest Nov. 30);
• Christmas Day (Dec. 25, Thursday); and
• Rizal Day (Dec. 30, Tuesday).

Meanwhile, the Special (Non-Working) Holidays for 2008 shall fall on the following dates:

• Ninoy Aquino Day (Aug.18, Monday nearest Aug. 21);
• All Saints’ Day (Nov. 1, Saturday);
• Additional Special (Non-Working) Day (Dec. 26, Friday);
• Additional Special (Non-Working) Day (Dec. 29, Monday); and the
• Last day of the year (Dec. 31, Wednesday).

As for the Muslims’ observance of Eidul Fitr, President Arroyo ordered the Office of Muslim Affairs (OMA) to inform the Office of the President (OP) “on which day the said holiday shall fall.”

The President said another proclamation shall be issued declaring the Eidul Fitr date as a national holiday for Muslims “after the appropriate date of the Islamic holiday has been determined in accordance with the Islamic calendar (Hijra) or the lunar calendar, or upon Islamic astronomical calculations, whichever is possible or convenient.”

The President tasked the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) to promulgate the implementing guidelines for Proclamation 1463.

source: Gov.Ph news