Bill amending Holiday Economics Law filed

Meantime, incumbent President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. signed Proclamation 90 so that Filipinos can enjoy the chance of long weekends this year

Senator Raffy Tulfo on Tuesday filed Senate Bill 1651 to amend Republic Act 9492, otherwise known as the Holiday Economics law, in a bid to boost domestic tourism and promote work-life balance among workers and students.

“Holidays are integral in order to honor and commemorate special events or traditions with cultural or religious significance. The Philippines celebrates 18 national holidays annually, four of which are considered ‘special non-working’ holidays. These aforementioned days may at times fall on a weekend making them feel less celebratory for individuals,” the bill’s explanatory note read.

“Additionally, the increase in the number of long weekends can help reduce stress, prevent burnout, and promote work-life balance for both employees and students by allowing them to decompress and spend time with their family and friends,” the explanatory note further read.

Under the proposed measure, if the holidays fall on a weekend — Saturday or Sunday, then, it will be observed on the following Monday.

RA 9492, which was signed into law by then President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo, regular and special holidays were moved to the nearest Monday to boost the country’s domestic tourism.

However, the practice of moving holidays to the nearest Monday was stopped during the term of late former President Benigno Aquino III through the issuance of Proclamation 84.

Meantime, incumbent President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. signed Proclamation 90 so that Filipinos can enjoy the chance of long weekends this year.

Marcos’ Proclamation 90 emphasized that “[t]here is a need to adjust these holidays pursuant to the principle of holiday economics wherein a long weekend will help encourage domestic travel and increase tourism expenditures in the country.”

Tulfo also proposed that the President issue a proclamation on the first Monday of December on the specific dates that shall be declared as a non-working day for the following year.