Long weekends ahead: Marcos proclamation on 2023 PH holidays out

FILE PHOTO: These young government workers enjoy their vacation in Nagsasa Cove, Zambales, as they take a few days off from their office routines. INQUIRER.net/Don Lejano

MANILA, Philippines — Filipinos are in for long weekends next year.

President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. declared regular and special non-working holidays for 2023 in Proclamation No. 90, issued on November 11.

In keeping with the holiday economics idea, the proclamation added two special non-working holidays: January 2 and November 2.

The Office of the Press Secretary (OPS) released a copy of the document, signed by Marcos and Executive Secretary Lucas Bersamin, on Wednesday.

Proclamation No. 90 emphasized that “[t]here 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.”

“For the year 2023, New Year’s Day falls on a Sunday. In consideration of the Filipino tradition of visiting relatives and spending time with their families for this occasion, it is but fitting to declare January 2 (Monday) as an additional special (non-working) day throughout the country,” it also notes.

All in all, the public will enjoy nine chances of long weekends next year based on Proclamation No. 90.

Below are the officially declared holidays for 2023:

REGULAR HOLIDAYS

January 1 – New Year’s Day (Sunday)
April 6 – Maundy Thursday
April 7 – Good Friday
April 10 – Araw ng Kagitingan (Monday nearest to April 9, which is a Sunday)
May 1 – Labor Day (Monday)
June 12 – Independence Day (Monday)
August 28 – National Heroes Day (Monday)
November 27 – Bonifacio Day (Monday nearest to November 30, which is a Thursday)
December 25 – Christmas Day (Monday)
December 30 – Rizal Day (Saturday)

SPECIAL NON-WORKING HOLIDAYS:

February 25 – EDSA People Power Revolution Anniversary (Saturday)
April 8 – Black Saturday
August 21 – Ninoy Aquino Day (Monday)
November 1 – All Saints’ Day (Wednesday)
December 8 – Feast of the Immaculate Concepcion (Friday)
December 31 – Last Day of the Year (Sunday)

ADDITIONAL SPECIAL NON-WORKING DAYS:

January 2 (Monday)
November 2 (Thursday)

RELATED STORY

LIST: 2022 regular, special non-working holidays in the Philippines

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