President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. urged the public to take advantage of the long weekend and support local tourism after he declared Feb. 24, 2023, a nonworking holiday.

Marcos said this after Malacañang released Proclamation No. 167, which declared Feb. 24 a special nonworking holiday across the country in celebration of the 37th EDSA People Power Revolution anniversary.

The Proclamation, released on Thursday evening, followed the principle of holiday economics, which moved a weekend holiday to the nearest working day. The EDSA holiday falls on a Saturday this year.

In a tweet, the President hoped the public would use the long weekend to assist the country’s economic recovery.

“Sa pagsulong natin ng holiday economics bilang pag-alalay sa ating pagbangon, nawa’y ang panahong ito’y ating gamitin upang masuportahan ang ating lokal na turismo at ang sari-saring industriyang kakambal nito (As we promote holiday economics as a way to aid our recovery, I hope we use this time to support our local tourism and related industries),” Marcos wrote.

nawa’y ang panahong ito’y ating gamitin upang masuportahan ang ating lokal na turismo at ang sari-saring industriyang kakambal nito.

For more info: https://t.co/UMbK6x9hCY pic.twitter.com/hMb9WWTeoQ

— Bongbong Marcos (@bongbongmarcos) February 23, 2023

Based on Proclamation No. 167, Malacañang moved the celebration of the EDSA holiday to “enable our countrymen to avail of the benefits of a longer weekend pursuant to the principle of holiday economics.”

However, the Palace said that the historical significance of the People Power Revolution should be maintained.

“The celebration of EDSA People Power Revolution Anniversary may be moved from 25 February 2023 (Saturday) to 24 February 2023 (Friday), provided that the historical significance of EDSA People Power Revolution Anniversary is maintained,” it read.

Palace moves EDSA holiday to Feb. 24 but wants its historical significance maintained https://t.co/iuus1Nxi7s

— Argyll Cyrus Geducos (@argyllcyrus_MB) February 23, 2023

The country will mark the 37th anniversary of the EDSA People Power Revolution on Feb. 25. The occasion commemorates the toppling of the first Marcos administration.

Malacañang has yet to release a Presidential Message on the occasion.

In November last year, President Marcos, through Proclamation No. 90, said there was a need to follow the principle of holiday economics.

“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.

“Holiday economics” was largely implemented during the administration of former President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo. Under the principle, holidays falling on weekends may be moved to the nearest Monday or Friday. Even holidays falling in the middle of the week may be moved.