(UPDATED) MANILA, Philippines - President Benigno Aquino III has declared October 15 a regular holiday nationwide in observance of Eidul Adha or the Feast of Sacrifice among Muslims.
Deputy President Spokesperson Abigail Valte said Aquino signed on Thursday Proclamation No. 658 declaring the said Islamic holiday.
Republic Act 9849, which was signed in 2009, already included Eidul Adha among the country’s regular holidays because of the significance of the date for the members of the Islamic faith.
But a presidential proclamation is still needed to declare it a holiday every year since its date will be determined in accordance with the Islamic calendar.
The proclamation order said Eidul Adha is one of the two greatest feasts of Islam and its date is based on the declaration made by Saudi Arabia’s highest religious body.