PGMA Signs List of Holidays for ‘09

Malacañang has released this year’s list of holidays to guide the business sector and other institutions on planning their activities.

Based on Proclamation No. 1699 signed by President Gloria Macapagal - Arroyo last December 24, 2008, there are ten (10) long holidays for 2009.

This year’s regular holidays are:

• April 6 (the Monday nearest to April 9 which is Araw ng Kagitingan or Day of Valor)
• April 9 (Maundy Thursday)
• April 10 (Good Friday)
• May 1 (Labor Day)
• June 12 (Independence Day)
• August 31 (National Heroes Day)
• November 30 (Bonifacio Day)
• December 25 (Christmas Day)
• December 30 (Rizal Day)

On the other hand, the following are special non-working holidays:

• August 21 (Ninoy Aquino Day)
• November 1 (All Saints Day)
• November 2 (additional special non-working day)
• December 24 (additional special non-working day)
• December 31 (last day of the year)

The date of Eid’l Fitr, the end of the Muslim holy month of Ramadan which is declared as a national holiday, shall be determined by the Office of Muslim Affairs in accordance with the lunar calendar.

The long weekend and movement of holidays is in compliance with Republic Act 9492 or known as the Holiday Economics Law. It states that holidays that fall on a Wednesday will be observed on a Monday. If it falls on a Sunday, the holiday will be observed on a Monday.

Holiday economics was introduced by President Arroyo in 2001 as a way to allow Filipinos to spend more time with their families and a way to encourage domestic tourism.

With the early release of this year’s list of holidays, Makati Business Club Executive Director Alberto Lim said, in his interview with Philippine Daily Inquirer, that this would be beneficial to the local tourism industry, as families would be able to travel; and promote consumer spending which in turn, benefits the economy.

Meanwhile, Mr. Donald Dee, chairman emeritus of the Philippine Chamber of Commerce and Industries said in the same interview that the early release would help them schedule their activities throughout the year. He adds that the long weekend may help firms improve productivity.

Web Philippines.com. thanks its following sources:

Office of the President. Presidential Proclamation No. 1699 Declaring the Regular Holidays and the Special (Non-Working) Days for the Year 2009
http://www.ops.gov.ph/records/issuances-proc/Proc1699.pdf

Trinidad, Nadia, ABS-CBN News. Palace OKs 10 long holidays in 2009 (Posted January 7, 2009) Retrieved January 9, 2009 from
http://news.abs-cbn.com/nation/01/07/09/palace-oks-10-long-holidays-2009

Philippine Information Agency. PGMA lays out holiday schedule for 2009 thru Proclamation 1699 (Posted January 8, 2009) Retrieved January 9, 2009 from
http://www.pia.gov.ph/?m=12&sec=reader&rp=2&fi=p090108.htm&no=19&date=
Re-posted at
http://www.op.gov.ph/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=17500&Itemid=1
http://www.gov.ph/news/?i=23238

Philippine Information Agency. Long holidays seen to boost domestic tourism (Posted January 9, 2009) Retrieved January 9, 2009 from
http://www.pia.gov.ph/?m=12&fi=p090109.htm&no=57

Romero, A. D. B., BusinessWorld. 2009 holiday list issued by Palace (Posted January 9, 2009) Retrieved January 9, 2009 from
http://www.bworldonline.com/BW010909/content.php?id=005
Re-posted by GMA News.tv. (Malacañang issues list of 2009 holidays) at
http://www.gmanews.tv/story/143307/Malaca&ntildeang-issues-list-of-2009-holidays

Burgonio, TJ and Daxim Lucas, Philippine Daily Inquirer. Palace releases 2009 holiday calendar (Posted January 9, 2009) Retrieved January 9, 2009 from
http://newsinfo.inquirer.net/inquirerheadlines/nation/view/20090109-182320/Palace-releases-2009-holiday-calendar

Office of the Press Secretary Website. Republic Act 9492
http://www.ops.gov.ph/records/ra_no9492.htm