Malacañang said Thursday the announcement to declare Aug. 21 as a regular holiday because of the celebration of Eid al-Adha was recommended by Commission on Muslim Filipinos.
Asked why the declaration of Muslim holiday coincided with the Ninoy Aquino Day, Presidential Spokesman Harry Roque said the religious observance usually depended on the suggestion of the Muslim community in the country.
“That really depends on the suggestion of our Muslim brothers and sisters. It’s just like Ramadan which depends on the phases of the moon,” he said.
“The Palace only relied on the recommendation of the Commission on Muslim Filipinos. They were the ones who recommended it,” he explained.
Roque also stressed that employees would only get the usual benefits during a regular holiday.
“They will only work for one day, why will they receive two-holiday worth of benefits?” he said.
Meanwhile, Malacañang released the list of regular holidays and special non-working holidays for 2019.
President Rodrigo Duterte signed Proclamation No. 555 on Aug. 15, which also includes Nov. 2 (Saturday) and Dec. 24 (Tuesday) as two additional non-working days throughout the country.
The two dates have been added “to strengthen family ties by providing more time for the traditional All Saint’s Day, All Soul’s Day and Christmas Day commemorative activities, and will promote domestic tourism as well.
The 2019 regular holidays include: January 1 (Tuesday)—New Year’s Day; April 9 (Tuesday)—Araw ng Kagitingan; April 18—Maunday Thursday; April 19—Good Friday; May 1 (Wednesday)—Labor Day; June 12 (Wednesday)—Independence Day; Aug. 26 (last Monday of August)—National Heroes Day; Nov. 30 (Saturday)—Bonifacio Day; Dec. 25 (Wednesday)—Christmas Day; and, Dec. 30 (Monday)—Rizal Day.
Special non-working days, on the other hand, are February 5 (Tuesday) – Chinese New Year; Feb. 25 (Monday) –Edsa People Power Revolution Anniversary; April 20—Black Saturday; Aug. 21 (Wednesday)—Ninoy Aquino Day; Nov. 1 (Friday)—All Saint’s Day; Dec. 8 (Sunday) —Feast of the Immaculate Conception of Mary; and, Dec. 31 (Tuesday) – Last Day of the Year.
The proclamation declaring national holidays for the observance of Eidul Fitr and Eidul Adha, two major feasts of Islam, will be issued after the dates of the Islamic holidays have been determined in accordance with the Islamic calendar (Hijra).
“To this end, the National Commission on Muslim Filipinos (NCMF) shall inform the Office of the President of the actual dates on which these holidays shall respectively fall,” the proclamation stated.
