Marcos declares more holidays for 2023

Malacanang on Wednesday released President Ferdinand Marcos’ Proclamation No. 90 which contained the list of more regular and adjusted special non-working holidays for 2023.

In his Proclamation No. 90, which was signed by Executive Secretary Lucas Bersamin on 11 November, Marcos declared 2 January as an additional special non-working day, in consideration of the Filipino tradition of celebrating the New Year, which will fall on a Sunday.

Likewise, he also declared 2 November as a special non-working holiday while 10 April and 27 November 2023 are now considered regular holidays.

“To enable our countrymen to avail of the benefits of a longer weekend, Monday, 10 April 2023, in lieu of Sunday, 9 April 2023 may be declared as a non-working holiday, provided that the historical significance of Araw ng Kagitingan is maintained,” he explained.

The chief executive said he made the move in a bid to boost the country’s tourism based on the principle of the “holiday economic,” which was first introduced by former President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo.

“There is a need to adjust these holidays pursuant to the principle of holiday economics wherein a longer weekend will help encourage domestic travel and increase tourism expenditures in the country,” he said in his proclamation.

In addition, Marcos also declared 31 December 2023 as a special non-working holiday, which reverted former President Rodrigo Duterte’s decision not to declare the last day of the year as a special non-working holiday.