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By Catherine S. Valente
(UPDATE) PRESIDENT Ferdinand Marcos Jr. declared 20 national holidays for 2024, but the list does not include the observance of the EDSA Revolution that ousted his father in 1986.
Malacañang said on Friday the President, through Executive Secretary Lucas Bersamin, signed on October 11 Proclamation 368 declaring next year's regular holidays and special non-working days.
The regular holidays are New Year's Day (January 1), Maundy Thursday (March 28), Good Friday (March 29), Araw ng Kagitingan (April 9), Labor Day (May 1), Independence Day (June 12), National Heroes Day (August 26), Bonifacio Day (November 30), Christmas Day (December 25), and Rizal Day (December 30).
The special non-working holidays are Ninoy Aquino Day (August 21), All Saints' Day (November 1), Feast of the Immaculate Conception of Mary (December 8), and Last Day of the Year (December 31).
The special non-working days are Chinese New Year (February 10), Black Saturday (March 30), All Souls' Day (November 2), and Christmas Eve (December 24).
In explaining why the anniversary of the EDSA Revolution, which is usually celebrated on February 25, was not on the list, the Office of the President (OP) said the date falls on a Sunday next year.
"There is a minimal socio-economic impact in declaring such day as a special non-working holiday since it coincides with the rest day for most workers/laborers," the OP said in a statement on Friday.
The event had been declared a special non-working day by every president.
Last February, under Proclamation 167, Marcos moved the celebration of the EDSA Revolution from February 25 to 24, citing the principle of "holiday economics."
Holiday economics is the practice of shifting a public holiday to a weekday nearest to the weekend to allow the public to enjoy three rest days instead of two.
Former president Gloria Macapagal Arroyo implemented holiday economics extensively during her administration.
Proclamation 368 provided the reasons for declaring the holidays next year.
February 10 is a special (non-working) day since Chinese New Year is one of the "most revered and festive events" celebrated not only in China but also in the Philippines, it said.
Black Saturday, which falls on March 30, is a special non-working day because Holy Week is "one of the most cherished traditions of the predominantly Catholic people."
Under Republic Act 9256, August 21 is a national non-working holiday to commemorate the death anniversary of former senator Benigno S. Aquino Jr.
Under RA 10966, December 8 is a special non-working holiday.
November 2 is a special non-working day to "strengthen family ties by providing more time for the traditional All Saints' Day and All Souls' Day activities, as well as promote domestic tourism."
Eid al-Fitr and Eid al-Adha are national holidays but the dates of their observance will be issued after "the approximate dates of the Islamic holidays have been determined in accordance with the Islamic calendar (Hijra) or the lunar calendar, or upon Islamic astronomical calculations, whichever is possible or convenient."
