HOLIDAY economics will usher in ten long weekends which could provide Filipinos the much needed opportunity for domestic travel and help government prop up its tourism revenues.
This after Pres. Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. signed Proclamation No. 90 on Nov. 11, which also amended Proclamation No. 42 series of 2022 initially declaring the regular and special non-working holidays, as well as the additional special non-working days in the country for 2023.
The long weekends are, namely: Dec. 30 (Rizal Day), Dec. 31 (last day of the year), Jan.1 (New Year’s Day), and Jan. 2 which is declared by Proc. No. 90; April 6 (Maundy Thursday), April 7 (Holy Friday), April 8 (Black Saturday), April 9 (Easter Sunday), and April 10 (Araw ng Kagitingan); April 29 (Saturday), April 30 (Sunday), and May 1 (Labor Day); June 10 (Saturday), June 11 (Sunday), and June 12 (Independence Day); Aug. 19 (Saturday), Aug. 20 (Sunday) and Aug. 21 (Ninoy Aquino Day); and Nov. 25 (Saturday), Nov. 26 (Sunday), and Nov. 27 (Monday).
By December 2023, the two long weekends are Dec. 8 (Special Non-Working Day) for the feast of the Immaculate Conception of Mary that falls on a Monday, and Christmas which would be ushered by a long weekend with Dec. 23 (Saturday), Dec. 25 (Sunday) and Dec. 26 (Monday) as additional special non-working day.
The president pointed out the need to adjust holidays pursuant to the principle of holiday economics, wherein a longer weekend will help encourage domestic travel and increase tourism expenditures in the country. (RAHC/PIA7 Bohol)
