Time to plan and book trips for next year!
"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," according to the proclamation as cited by the Philippine News Agency.
This means that Malacañang has released an updated list of regular holidays and special non-working holidays for the year 2023. More long weekends for self-care and economy boosting via trips and tours.
For starters, Jan. 2, 2023 is a Monday and has been considered an additional special non-working holiday. This is "in consideration of the Filipino tradition of visiting relatives and spending time with their families for this occasion.”
Another example is April 9, Araw ng Kagitingan, which falls on a Sunday. "To enable our countrymen to avail of the benefits of a 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."
Bonifacio Day, Nov. 30, falls on a Monday, but the amended proclamation has moved the celebration to Nov. 27 (Friday), making this another long weekend. "Bonifacio Day, which is observed as a regular holiday on Nov.30 of each year, falls on a Thursday for the year 2023. Pursuant to RA No. 9492, 27 Nov. 2023 (Monday nearest November 30) may be declared as a non-working holiday while 30 Nov. 2023 (Thursday) may be declared as a working day)."
RA 9492. which was signed into law by former President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo, moved regular and special holidays to the nearest Monday.
Here is the updated list of declared regular holidays and special days for 2023.
Regular Holidays
Jan. 1 (Sunday) – New Year’s Day
April 10 (Monday nearest April 9) – Araw ng Kagitingan
April 6 – Maundy Thursday
April 7 – Good Friday
May 1 (Monday) – Labor Day
June 12 (Monday) – Independence Day
Aug. 28 (last Monday of August) – National Heroes Day
Nov. 27 (Monday nearest November 30) – Bonifacio Day
Dec. 25 (Monday) – Christmas Day
Dec. 30 (Saturday) – Rizal Day
Special Non-Working Days
Feb. 25 (Saturday) – EDSA People Power Revolution Anniversary
April 8 – Black Saturday
Aug. 21 (Monday) – Ninoy Aquino Day
Nov. 1 (Wednesday) – All Saints' Day
Dec. 8 (Friday) – Feast of the Immaculate Concepcion of Mary
Dec. 31 (Sunday) - Last Day of the Year
Additional Special Non-Working Day
Jan. 2 (Monday) - Day after New Year’s Day
Nov. 2 (Thursday) - All Souls' Day
“All the provisions of Proclamation No. 42, s. 2022, shall remain unchanged, valid, and existing,” as can be found in the proclamation.