Biz group rejects more new holidays

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MANILA, Philippines — The country’s largest business organization said on Tuesday it supported moves to limit the declaration of new holidays.

According to Philippine Chamber of Commerce and Industry (PCCI) president Enunina Mangio, they believe in balancing business interests with the well-being of employees.

“The high number of nonworking holidays plus the mandated leaves affect the productivity of local enterprises and adds to the cost of their operations,” she said in a statement, adding, “These therefore impact negatively on their competitiveness in a highly competitive global economy.”

READ: Escudero clarifies: Let’s not add more holidays

Mangio pointed out that there were already 18 nonworking holidays plus five days of paid time off, on top of other mandated leaves such as maternity and paternity leaves, parental leave for solo parents, and special leave benefits for women with gynecological disorders.

Senate President Francis Escudero on Monday clarified there was no need to add more holidays, saying there were already too many, following reports they planned to reduce the current number.

“There is no issue with the existing holidays. The Senate‘s stand is not to increase the number of existing holidays because there are too many already. We have no intention of reducing them,” he said. “As we have already said, the issue will demand lengthy discussions. Right now, we have more than 23 to 25 local and national holidays. Let’s not add more,” he added. —Alden M. Monzon