Marcos declares Oct. 31 as special non-working holiday


President Marcos has declared October 31, 2022 as a special non-working holiday.

President Ferdinand 'Bongbong' Marcos Jr. (Photo courtesy of the Office of the President)

Office of the Press Secretary (OPS) officer-in-charge Undersecretary Cheloy Velicaria-Garafil announced in a press briefing on Tuesday, Oct. 18, that the President has already signed a proclamation declaring the holiday.

Garafil said it aims to "give more time for families to be together" and to boost local tourism.

"The President has already signed the proclamation declaring October 31 as a special non-working holiday para na rin po mas marami po tayong time kasama ang ating pamilya at para ma-promote na rin ang ating local tourism (in order for us to have more time with our families and to promote local tourism)," she said.

The Palace official did not provide further explanation behind the President's decision to declare the eve of All Saints' Day as a special non-working holiday.

For this year's observance of Undas season or the All Saints' and Souls' Days, only November 1 (All Saints' Day) was declared as a special non-working holiday by the previous administration.

There is still no word from the Malacañang whether November 2 (All Souls' Day) will also be declared as a special non-working holiday.

Based on the proclamation signed by former president Rodrigo Duterte for 2022 holidays, November 2 remains as a special working day.