Palace amends list of holidays for 2023 to accommodate more long weekends

The list of regular holidays and special non-working days for 2023 has been amended by Malacaang to accommodate more “long weekends.”

The Proclamation 90 amends Proclamation 42 declaring regular holidays and special non-working days, which was signed by Executive Secretary Lucas Bersamin on November 11, 2021.

“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.

Under the proclamation, Jan. 2, 2023, which falls on a Monday, will be an additional special non-working day “in consideration of the Filipino tradition of visiting relatives and spending time with their families for this occasion.”

Jan. 1, 2023, is already a regular holiday under Proclamation 90.

Araw ng Kagitingan will be observed on April 10, 2023, the closest Monday to its original date of April 9, 2023.

“To enable our countrymen to avail of the benefits of a longer weekend, Monday, 10 April 2023, in lieu of Sunday, 9 April 2023 may be declared as a non-working holiday, provided that the historical significance of Araw ng Kagitingan is maintained,” the proclamation read.

The proclamation also changes the date of Bonifacio Day to Nov. 27, 2023, which is the next available Monday to Nov. 30, 2023, the original date.

“Bonifacio Day, which is observed as a regular holiday on November 30 of each year, falls on a Thursday for the year 2023. Pursuant to RA No. [Republic Act No.] 9492, 27 November 2023 (Monday nearest November 30) may be declared as a non-working holiday while 30 November 2023 (Thursday) may be declared as a working day),” the proclamation read.

RA 9492, which was signed into law by former President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo, moved regular and special holidays to the nearest Monday.