Jan. 2 not a holiday–MalacaÑang

Filipinos hoping for an extended New Year celebration are in for a disappointment as Jan. 2, 2024, will not be a holiday, according to the Presidential Communications Office.

Secretary Cheloy Velicaria-Garafil replied “no” on Friday when asked if President Marcos planned to declare Jan. 2 as a special nonworking day to give families more time to enjoy the holiday season.

In late 2022, Mr. Marcos declared Jan. 2 of this year as a special nonworking day.

2024 schedule

Under the President’s Proclamation No. 368 on Oct. 11 this year, Jan. 1 was declared a regular holiday in the country for 2024.

New Year’s Day falls on a Monday next week.

Besides New Year’s Day, the regular holidays next year are Maundy Thursday on March 28, Good Friday on March 29, Araw ng Kagitingan on April 9, Labor Day on May 1, Independence Day on June 12, National Heroes Day on Aug. 26, Bonifacio Day on Nov. 30, Christmas Day on Dec. 25 and Rizal Day on Dec. 30.

The special nonworking days, on the other hand, are Chinese New Year on Feb. 10, Black Saturday on March 30, Ninoy Aquino Day on Aug. 21, All Saints’ Day on Nov. 1, All Souls’ Day on Nov. 2, Feast of the Immaculate Conception of Mary on Dec. 8 and Christmas Eve on Dec. 24.

Islamic holidays

Malacañang will issue separate proclamations declaring national holidays for the observance of Eid al-Fitr and Eid al-Adha based on the Islamic calendar, as recommended by the National Commission on Muslim Filipinos.

The President earlier removed the Edsa People Power Revolution anniversary on Feb. 25, the historic revolt that ended his father’s 20-year dictatorial rule, as a public holiday next year.

The Office of the President (OP) reasoned that since it would fall on a Sunday next year, the holiday would have little significance among the public.

“There is minimal socioeconomic impact in declaring this day as a special nonworking holiday since it coincides with the rest day for most workers and laborers,” the OP said in a statement last October. INQ