Palace declares holidays for 2013

MANILA, Philippines - President Aquino issued Proclamation No. 459 declaring regular holidays, special non-working holidays and special holiday for schools for the year 2013.

Under the proclamation, the regular holidays will be New Year’s Day, Jan. 1, which falls on a Tuesday; Maundy Thursday, which is March 28; Good Friday, March 29; Araw ng Kagitingan, April 9, Tuesday; Labor Day, May 1, Wednesday; Independence Day, June 12, which also falls on a Wednesday; National Heroes Day, Aug. 26 is the last Monday of August; Bonifacio Day, Nov. 30, Saturday; Christmas Day, Dec. 25, Wednesday and Rizal Day is Dec. 30, a Monday.

Special non-working days include Black Saturday, March 30; Ninoy Aquino Day, Aug. 21, Wednesday and All Saints’ Day, Nov. 1, Friday. Additional special non-working days are: Nov. 2, Saturday; and Dec. 24, Tuesday; and the last day of the year Dec. 31, a Tuesday.

The anniversary of the first EDSA People Power Revolution on Feb. 25, a Monday, is a special holiday for all schools.

Meanwhile the observance of Eid’l Fitr and Eid’l Adha 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, the proclamation read.

The National Commission on Muslim Filipinos (NCMF) shall inform the Office of the President on which day the holidays shall fall.

The proclamation, signed by the President on Aug. 16, shall take effect immediately and the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) shall promulgate its implementing guidelines.

Based on the announcement, there will be four long weekends next year: March 28 to 31, Aug. 24 to 26, Nov.1 to 3 and Dec. 28 to Jan.1, 2014. President Aquino issued Proclamation No. 459 declaring regular holidays, special non-working holidays and special holiday for schools for the year 2013.