PRESIDENT Arroyo yesterday declared February
25 a special non-working day nationwide for the observance of
the 22nd anniversary of Edsa "People Power."
In Proclamation No. 1462, Arroyo said the
nation should be given the opportunity to observe the
"milestone" in the country’s history, which has a theme this
year of "Kapayapaan at Pagkakaisa Tungo sa Kaunlaran."
The day had originally been declared a
"working holiday."
Deputy Executive Secretary Edwin Enrile said
declaring February 25 a non-working holiday is consistent with
Malacañang’s practice since 2001, although it was not a holiday
in 2001 and last year because it already fell on a Sunday.
Enrile said no proclamation has been crafted
when Executive Secretary Eduardo Ermita told reporters in a
press conference last week that it would just be a working
holiday.
He said there was a "very strong lobby" for
February 25 to be declared a non-working holiday. He said the
Edsa People Power Commission, which also recommended the holiday
declaration, noted it was the expectation of everyone.
"It would be a deviation from the practice
and it would downplay the value of Edsa 1," he said.
Arroyo also signed Proclamation No. 1463,
which lists the regular holidays and special non-working days
for this year.
The order is in compliance with R.A. 9492
which "rationalizes" the celebration of national holidays. The
law provides that holidays, except those that are religious,
would have to be moved to the nearest Monday unless otherwise
modified by a law or presidential order.
Under the proclamation, the regular holidays
are Maundy Thursday (March 20), Good Friday (March 21), Araw ng
Kagitingan (April 7, which is the nearest Monday to April 9),
Labor Day (May 1), Independence Day (June 9, the nearest Monday
to June 12), National Heroes Day (August 25, last Monday of
August), Bonifacio Day (December 1, nearest Monday to November
30), Christmas Day (December 25), and Rizal Day (December 30).
Arroyo said Labor Day, which falls on a
Thursday, would still be celebrated on May 1.
She said the special non-working holidays are
Ninoy Aquino Day (August 18, the nearest Monday to August 21),
All Saints Day (November 1), December 26 and 29 as special
non-working days, and December 31, because it is the last day of
the year.
She said the observance of Eid Il Fitr, which is the end of
Ramadan, would be declared upon the recommendation of the Office
of Muslim Affairs based on the Islamic calendar or Hijra.
– Regina Bengco
