Aquino gives Filipinos one more holiday

President Benigno Aquino

Malacañang on Tuesday reiterated that Dec. 24 had been declared a “special (nonworking) day” throughout the country.

The Palace released a copy of Proclamation No. 361 declaring Dec. 24 a nonworking day since it falls between Dec. 23 (Sunday) and Dec. 25 (Christmas Day), which is a regular holiday.

The declaration “will give the people full opportunity to celebrate Christmas with their family and loved ones,” said the proclamation.

“The Department of Labor and Employment is hereby directed to issue the appropriate circular to implement this proclamation for the private sector,” it said.

President Aquino signed the proclamation as early as March 29 this year.

The other holidays and special nonworking days for the month of December are Rizal Day (Dec. 30, Sunday), which is a regular holiday, and Dec. 31 (Monday), which is a special nonworking day.