Palace sets 17 holidays in 2013

MANILA—The Philippines has at least 17 holidays next year based on Proclamation 459 that President Benigno Aquino III signed, Malacanang said on Saturday.

Of the 2013 holidays, 11 will be regular holidays, five as special non-working days, and one as a special holiday for all schools.

Included in the regular holidays is the observance of Eid’l Fitr and Eidul Adha. The date for this will be issued after the approximate dates of the Islamic holidays have been determined in accordance with the Islamic calendar (Hijra) or the lunar calendar, or upon Islamic astronomical calculations, whichever is possible or convenient, the proclamation read. The National Commission on Muslim Filipinos (NCMF) shall inform the Office of the President on which day the holiday shall fall.

The following are the holidays and special days for the year 2013:

Regular Holidays: New Year’s Day, January 1 (Tuesday); Maundy Thursday, March 28; Good Friday, March 29; Araw ng Kagitingan, April 9 (Tuesday); Labor Day, May 1 (Wednesday); Independence Day, June 12 (Wednesday); National Heroes Day, Aug. 26 (Last Monday of August); Bonifacio Day, November 30 (Saturday); Christmas Day, Dec. 25 (Wednesday); Rizal Day, December 30 (Monday).

Special (non-working) days: Black Saturday, March 30; Ninoy Aquino Day, Aug. 21 (Wednesday); All Saints Day, Nov. 1 (Friday).

Additional special (nonworking) days: Dec. 24 (Tuesday); Dec. 31 (Tuesday).

Special Holiday (for all schools): EDSA Revolution Anniversary, Feb. 25 (Monday).

Malacañang said the President signed the proclamation on Aug. 16 and will take effect immediately.

The Department of Labor and Employment shall promulgate its implementing guidelines, it added. (Sunnex)