New law ‘rationalizes’ celebration of nat’l holidays

[Monseratto]

2 long weekends in August

MANILA, Philippines -- The public can look forward to two long weekends in August after President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo signed a new law rationalizing the celebration of national holidays.

Under Republic Act 9492, most holidays, except for those with religious significance, are moved to the nearest Monday.

Thus, in August, Ninoy Aquino Day, which is celebrated on August 21, a Tuesday, is automatically moved to August 20, a Monday.

National Heroes Day, which is celebrated every last Monday of August, will be on August 27.

In the event the holiday falls on a Wednesday, the holiday will be observed on the Monday of that week. If the holiday falls on a Sunday, the holiday will be observed on the Monday following.

All Saints Day (November 1) and New Year’s Eve will be observed on their original dates.

For regular holidays, those to be celebrated on their original dates are New Year's Day (January 1), Christmas Day (December 25) and Maundy Thursday, Good Friday, and Eidul Fitr, whose dates vary each year.

Araw ng Kagitingan is moved to the Monday nearest April 9, Labor Day is moved to the Monday nearest May 1, Independence Day is moved to the Monday nearest June 12, Bonifacio Day is moved to the Monday nearest November 30, and Rizal Day is moved to the Monday nearest December 30.

[Alpha_One]

I still think moving Araw ng Kalayaan is stupid.

It's not just because it's a total insult to history. Hey, they're not the ones who have to put up with the traffic in Kawit every 12th of June because it didn't fall on a Monday when there wouldn't be any work/class.

[niky]

It makes more sense than issuing a proclamation every single holiday.

But yeah, Araw ng Kalayaan should always fall on the 12th.

[Asus700]

good decision for me.

long weekends is really nice.

[Lucius]

Nice. I only have 2 classes in school, MWF. Sana ginawa na lang nila friday hahahaha

[squatt3r]

nice! long weekend!

[manager]

i'm not sure but i believe in australia they just designate holidays as on certain mondays? parang they just say x holiday will be on 2nd monday of july.

is this true? that would've been even less confusing. just my 2c

[VtEC]

great move.here what they do is say the holiday falls on saturday or sunday, monday will definitely be a non working day.

[boybi]

If the holiday falls on a weekend, the following monday should not be declared a non-working day. Very counter productive ito.

[falken]

If the holiday falls on a weekend, the following monday should not be declared a non-working day. Very counter productive ito.

+1, We don't need more holidays.

[altec]

that law is another reason why we will continue to be left behind by our asian neighbors. That's sooo counterproductive. If we will not observe each holiday on its actual date, might as well delete such holiday from our calendars. Kalokohan na lang yang paglipat sa holiday date na yan. So why move it to the next nearest monday? What would stop them from resetting it to a particular whole week? Like moving all our national holidays all together, so that we have almost 2 calendar weeks straight of holidays? There is nothing wrong with that! The Chinese (china, taiwan) observes 2 weeks during their chinese new year break. But the rest of the year, kayod.

Haven't they heard of holiday or weekend hangover? Where mondays of every beginning of the week is dreaded by most workers. Or after coming from the holidays, an employee doesn't return to work with his mind on the job 100%.

[mazdamazda]

Ok lang yan... I think most of us badly need a break from work anyway. :sleepy:

[_Qwerty_]

masyadong pahirap na sa mga employers yan..

tapos ang mga employees.. pag nag holiday ang monday.. di rin papasok nang tuesday.. tsk tsk tsk..

[mcbry]

good move. looking forward to those holidays.

[badsekktor]

Ok lang yan... I think most of us badly need a break from work anyway. :sleepy:

i agree on this

[chieffy]

Very counter productive ito.

+1...hindi na rin nagiging maganda epekto para sa lahat...

[vhenok]

At least we won't be at a lost anymore whether an "ipit" days prior to holidays would also be declared..nice one!

[flakez]

woohooo! long weekend gallore! hehehe

[Mguy]

This is good. However for businesses, dapat i-declare ang holidays at the start of the year so that they can plan ahead na.

FYI, holiday economics is one of the key factors why provincial places are booming. Dati rati, big plans talaga to go to Baguio, Cebu or even Boracay. Nowadays, almost anybody can go at the spur of the moment.

[alwayz_yummy]

what if lang.....

siguro kung si erap gumawa ng ganito pagtatawanan siya....

wala lang..kasi since Pgma admin eto ginawa...wondering lang...