MANILA, Philippines -- President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo on Tuesday issued Proclamation 1841 declaring 10 regular holidays, four special non-working holidays and a special holiday for 2010.

Executive Secretary Eduardo Ermita said the early proclamation would benefit businessmen, who were conscious about the impact of holidays on workers' productivity, and students.

"Early enough we're coming with it,'' he said in a briefing, drawing chuckles from reporters. "It's best that you know this early because seriously, our businessmen, our schools are very conscious of it.''

Every declaration of a non-working holiday would result to a "P8 million loss'' for companies, he said.

"This isn't just a matter of the Office of the President declaring a holiday as working or non-working. There is a peso sign attached to it,'' he said. "That's why it's necessary that we declare early because this is what the foreign chamber is looking forward to so they can program their businesses.''

To be observed as regular holidays in 2010 are New Year's Day (January 1), Maundy Thursday (April 1), Good Friday (April 2), Araw ng Kagitingan (April 9), Labor Day (May 1), Independence Day (June 14, Monday nearest June 12), National Heroes Day (August 30, last Monday of August), Bonifacio Day (November 29, Monday nearest November 30), Christmas Day (December 25, Saturday), and Rizal Day (December 27, Monday nearest December 30).

Under Republic Act 9492, holidays, except those that are religious in nature, are moved to the nearest Monday unless otherwise modified by law, order or proclamation.

The special non-working days are Ninoy Aquino Day (August 23, Monday nearest Aug August 23), All Saints Day (Nov. 1, Monday), as well as December 24 and December 31, the last day of the year.

"In order to foster closer family ties and enable our countrymen to observe Christmas more meaningful, it is but fitting to declare December 24 as an additional special (non-working) day throughout the day,'' Arroyo said in the proclamation.

The 1986 People Power Revolution anniversary (February 22, Monday nearest February 25) is declared as a special holiday for all schools.

The government will issue other proclamations declaring a national holiday for the observance of the Eid'l Fitr and Eid'l Adha, whose dates are determined based on the lunar calendar.

Arroyo has signed Republic Act 9645 declaring July 27 of every year as special national "working holiday" in recognition of the founding anniversary of Iglesia ni Cristo.