Marcos declares February 24, 2023 a ‘special non-working day’

President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. has declared Friday, February 24, 2023, as a special non-working holiday.

In Proclamation No. 167, Marcos moved the February 25 holiday to February 24 "to enable our countrymen to avail of the benefits of a longer weekend pursuant to the principle of holiday economics... provided that the historical significance of the EDSA People Power Revolution Anniversary is maintained."

Former President Ferdinand Marcos, his family, and close associates fled the country on February 25, 1986, amid the People Power Revolution.

Marcos directed the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) to issue the appropriate circular to implement the proclamation for the private sector.

He signed in November Proclamation No. 90, pushing for holiday economics, "aimed at ushering in long weekends to provide Filipinos much-needed opportunity for travel while at the same time, help government prop up its tourism revenues."

Proclamation No. 90 declared January 2, 2023, as a special non-working day while April 10, 2023, and November 27, 2023, have been declared regular holidays.

"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," Marcos said then.

The holiday on New Year's Day in 2023, a Sunday, was moved to Monday, January 2 "as an additional special non-working day throughout the country."

Araw ng Kagitingan on April 9 this year will also be a Sunday and the non-working day was moved to April 10.

Bonifacio Day, which is observed on November 30, will be a Thursday in 2023. Proclamation No. 90 moved the holiday to November 27, a Monday.

Proclamation No. 90 amended Proclamation No. 47, which set the holidays and special non-working days for 2023. —NB, GMA Integrated News