Palace declares Oct. 31 a holiday

MANILA, Philippines - President Aquino yesterday declared Oct. 31 as a special non-working holiday nationwide because it falls between a Sunday (Oct. 30) and Tuesday (or Nov. 1), an annual holiday in observance of All Saints’ Day.

Proclamation 265 said this is to give the public the “full opportunity” to observe the holiday “with all its religious fervor” and allow ample time to travel.

Work and classes will resume on Nov. 2, the day on which All Souls’ Day is traditionally observed because it was not included in the official list of holidays for 2011 issued by the Palace under Proclamation 84 in Dec. 2010.

Proclamation 84 also stipulates that the holidays will no longer be moved to the nearest Monday of the week as practiced by Aquino’s predecessor under the “holiday economics” scheme that was meant to encourage domestic tourism.

Proclamation 84 is a modification of Republic Act 9849 that stipulates that holidays be moved to the nearest Monday. The law provides that this can be modified by passing a law, or by issuing an order or proclamation.

For the current year, the following is a list of holidays to be observed: Regular Holidays – New Year’s Day (Jan. 1), Araw ng Kagitingan (April 9), Maundy Thursday (April 21), Good Friday (April 22), Labor Day (May 1), Independence Day (June 12), National Heroes Day (Aug. 29), Bonifacio Day (Nov. 30), Christmas Day (Dec. 25), Rizal Day (Dec. 30).

Special Non-Working Holidays – Ninoy Aquino Day (Aug. 21), All Saints Day (Nov. 1), Last Day of the Year (Dec. 31).

Special Holiday – EDSA Revolution Anniversary (Feb. 25).

Proclamation 84 also has provisions for the observance of Eid’l Fitr and Eidul Adha, the dates of which shall be determined based on the Islamic calendar. Once the dates are determined, new proclamations will be issued.