President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. (File photo)
MANILA – President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. has declared Dec. 26 this year a special non-working day throughout the country to “give the people the full opportunity to celebrate the holiday with their families and loved ones.”
Marcos made the declaration through Proclamation No. 115, according to a news release from Malacañang.
“A longer weekend will encourage families to get together and strengthen their relationship towards a more productive environment, and will promote tourism,” the proclamation read.
He also ordered the Department of Labor and Employment to issue the appropriate circular to implement the proclamation for the private sector.
Christmas Day, which falls on a Sunday, is observed as a regular holiday.
Malacañang earlier updated the list of regular holidays and special non-working days for 2023, allowing “long weekends.”
Proclamation 90, released Nov. 11, amended Proclamation 42, declaring the regular holidays and special non-working days.
Under Proclamation 90, Jan. 2, 2023, which falls on a Monday, will be an additional special non-working day “in consideration of the Filipino tradition of visiting relatives and spending time with their families for this occasion.”
Jan. 1, 2023 is already a regular holiday under Proclamation 90.
Earlier in the day, Marcos led a gift-giving activity at the Rizal Park in Manila and promised that his administration will continue providing much-needed aid for the poor, vulnerable and underprivileged.
Marcos, in several speeches, said the government will strive to ensure that every Filipino child will have a Christmas.
He also invited the public to visit the Malacañang Palace Grounds to view the Malacañang Christmas Tree and lanterns and attend the Simbang Gabi.
The Palace grounds will be open to the public from 7 p.m. to 6 a.m. on Dec. 18 to 24.
Simbang Gabi, which traditionally starts on Dec. 16 and ends on Christmas Day, will be at 4:30 a.m. in front of the Mabini Hall. (PNA)
