Palace proclamation out on holidays for 2023

MALACAÑANG on Wednesday released Proclamation 90 amending an earlier circular listing the regular and special holidays for 2023.

Signed by Executive Secretary Lucas Bersamin on November 11, the amendment was made “pursuant to the principle of holiday economics” wherein a longer weekend “will help encourage domestic travel” as well as “increase tourism expenditures in the country.”

Based on the proclamation, Jan. 2, 2023 is now a special nonworking day, while April 10 and Nov. 27, 2023 are now considered as regular holidays.

Proclamation 90 noted that New Year’s Day in 2023 falls on a Sunday. Therefore, “it is but fitting to declare January 2 (Monday) as an additional special non-working day throughout the country.”

This also applies for Araw ng Kagitingan (April 9).

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

Next year’s commemoration of Bonifacio Day (November 30), meanwhile, will fall on a Thursday for 2023. The Palace said November 27 may be declared as a non-working holiday while November 30 may be declared as a working day.

All other holidays earlier stated on Proclamation 42 shall remain “unchanged, valid, and existing.”

The proclamation shall take effect immediately.