Four-day weekend up: Aug. 20, 21 are holidays

Two long weekends await flood-weary residents of Metro Manila and the rest of the country in the next two weeks.

Malacañang has declared Aug. 20, a Monday, a nonworking regular holiday throughout the country in observance of Eid’l Fitr, which marks the end of the holy month of Ramadan.

President Aquino, through Executive Secretary Paquito Ochoa Jr., issued late Monday Proclamation No. 455 declaring Eid’l Fitr a regular holiday throughout the country.

Eid’l Fitr is celebrated by Muslims worldwide for three days after the end of the month of fasting or Ramadan.

The President cited the need to declare Aug. 20 a regular holiday throughout the country to bring the religious and cultural significance of the Eid’l Fitr to the fore of national consciousness.

“To promote cultural understanding and integration, the entire Filipino nation should have the full opportunity to join their Muslim brothers and sisters in the observance and celebration of Eid’l Fitr,” the President said.

He based his proclamation on Republic Act. No. 9177 authored by Sen. Loren Legarda.

In a text message, Legarda welcomed Mr. Aquino’s proclamation, saying: “As we celebrate Eid’l Fitr, we wish our Muslim brothers and sisters genuine peace and economic prosperity, hoping that the long elusive peace will be attained within our lifetime.”

With Aug. 20 declared a holiday, Filipinos will enjoy a four-day holiday from Aug. 18 to 21.

Aug. 21, a Tuesday, is a nonworking day, having been legislated as a special holiday to commemorate the death of President Aquino’s father, slain Sen. Benigno Aquino Jr.

From Aug. 25 to 27, Filipinos will have a three-day holiday break.

The nation will celebrate National Heroes Day on Aug. 27, a Monday.

Except for some entities in the private sector such as the business process outsourcing firms, most state and private employees have their regular days-off during the weekend.