Palace declares Black Saturday special nonworking holiday

MANILA—Malacañang has declared Black Saturday, which falls on April 7,  a special nonworking day through out the country.

The Palace released yesterday  proclamation No. 360, which President Aquino signed  last March 29.

It noted that the government “traditionally”’ declares Black Saturday a special nonworking day because it falls between Good Friday and Easter Sunday.

“The observance of Holy Week is one of our people’s most cherished traditions,” said the proclamation, adding that people should be given “the full and uninterrupted opportunity to ponder on the significance of the Holy Week and to properly observe its traditions with religious fervor, without prejudice to public interest.”

The four-day weekend will give Filipinos workers enough time to go on  Lenten pilgrimage,  go on vacation or visit families in the provinces.

The declaration of Black Saturday a special nonworking holiday will be this year’s longest weekend that starts on Maundy Thursday on April 5 and ends on Easter Sunday on April 8. /INQUIRER