Malacañang has declared February 9, 2024 [Friday], as a special non-working day nationwide in connection with the Chinese New Year celebration that falls on February 10.
In Proclamation No 453 signed by President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr, it is stated that, “the declaration of 09 February 2024, Friday, as an additional special non-working day throughout the country will give the people the full opportunity to celebrate the Chinese New Year and enable our countrymen to avail of the benefits of a longer weekend.”
The proclamation also states that the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) is required to issue a corresponding circular related to the implementation of the order for the private sector.
Earlier, Malacañang also released the list of regular and special non-working holidays for 2024. But it is notable that it does not include the People Power Anniversary, which is commemorated every February 25.
Proclamation 368 dated October 11 and signed by Executive Secretary Lucas Bersamin, states the regular holiday dates declared by President Marcos, Jr.:
January 1 – New Year’s Day
March 28 – Maundy Thursday
March 29 – Good Friday
April 9 – Bravery Day
May 1 – Labor Day
June 12 – Independence Day
August 26 – National Heroes Day (Last Monday of August)
November 30 – Bonifacio Day
December 25 – Christmas Day
December 30 – Rizal Day
February 9 declared a special non-working day for Chinese New Year
While special non-working days are:
February 10 – Chinese New Year
March 30 – Black Saturday
August 21 – Ninoy Aquino Day
November 1 – All Saints’ Day
November 2 – All Souls’ Day
December 8 – Feast of the Immaculate Conception of Mary
December 24 – Christmas Eve
December 31 – Last day of the year
On the matter of not including the People Power anniversary in the list of declared holidays, Malacañang explained that it will fall on Sunday, February 25, 2024.
“There is a minimal socio-economic impact in declaring such day as a special non-working holiday since it coincides with the rest day for most workers/laborers,” according to the Palace statement.
It was also clarified that the Office of the President “maintains the respect for the commemoration of the EDSA People Power Revolution.”
The EDSA People Power Revolution anniversary commemorates the peaceful strike that happened in 1986.
Meanwhile, Islamic holidays such as Eid’l Fitr and Eid’l Adha are not included in the list because they are based on the Islamic calendar (Hijra) or lunar calendar or even on Islamic astronomical calculations.
The proclamation mandates the National Commission on Muslim Filipinos to recommend to the Office of the President when to set the Eid’l Fitr and Eid’l Adha holidays.
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