‘Holiday Economics’ Back In 2023
Under Proclamation No. 90, some regular holidays were adjusted to allow Filipinos to enjoy long weekends anew.
President Marcos has adjusted the dates of some regular holidays for next year, setting up long weekends that would encourage domestic tourism and give Filipino families more quality time.
The adjustments, which follow the principle of holiday economics, are contained in Proclamation No. 90 signed by Executive Secretary Lucas Bersamin for the President last Nov. 11.
It amended Proclamation No. 42, which declared the regular holidays, special non-working days and additional special non-working days to be observed in 2023.
“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,” the proclamation read.
Under Proclamation No. 90, Jan. 2 will be an additional special non-working day. The first day of 2023 will remain a regular holiday.
“For the year 2023, New Year’s Day falls on a Sunday. In consideration of the Filipino tradition of visiting relatives and spending time with their families for this occasion, it is but fitting to declare Jan. 2 (Monday) as an additional special (non-working) day throughout the country,” it read.
The regular holiday for Araw ng Kagitingan (Day of Valor) will be on April 10, the Monday nearest April 9. The proclamation noted that April 9 falls on a Sunday next year.
“To enable our countrymen to avail of the benefits of the 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,” the proclamation read.
The regular holiday for Bonifacio Day will be moved to Nov. 27, the Monday nearest Nov. 30, a move done pursuant to Republic Act No. 9492. Nov. 30, which falls on Thursday next year, shall be a working holiday. Under Republic Act No. 9492, holidays, except those that are religious in nature, are moved to the nearest Monday unless otherwise modified by law, proclamation or order.
Other regular holidays for next year are Maundy Thursday (April 6), Good Friday (April 7), Labor Day (May 1), Independence Day (June 12), National Heroes Day (Aug. 28), Christmas Day (Dec. 25) and Rizal Day (Dec. 30).
The special non-working days for 2023 are the EDSA People Power Revolution anniversary (Feb. 25), Black Saturday (April 8), Ninoy Aquino Day (Aug. 21), All Saints’ Day (Nov. 1), feast of the Immaculate Conception of Mary (Dec. 8) and the last day of the year (Dec. 31).
Declared as additional special non-working days for next year are Jan. 2 and Nov. 2.
It was the administration of former president Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo that adopted holiday economics to boost domestic tourism.
