Malacañan declares December 26, January 2 as special non-working holidays

Malacañang may have had everyone’s favorite gifts this Christmas as they declared December 26, 2016, and January 2, 2017, as special non-working holidays.

Acting Executive Secretary Menandro Guevarra made the announcement via Proclamation No. 117 to “give the people full opportunity to celebrate the holidays with their families and loved ones.” December 25 and January 1 are regular holidays, though both fall on a Sunday.

Malacañang has declared December 26, 2016, and January 2, 2017, as special non-working days in the country, to “give the people full opportunity to celebrate the holidays with their families and loved ones.”

The declaration was made through Proclamation No. 117 released on Wednesday, December 14, and signed by acting executive secretary Menardo Guevarra.

December 25 or Christmas Day and January 1 or New Year’s Day are regular holidays in the country. Both fall on a Sunday.

Proclamation No. 117, Series of 2016

WHEREAS, 25 December 2016 (Christmas Day) and 1 January 2017 (New Year’s Day) both fall on a Sunday and are regular holidays throughout the country;

WHEREAS, the declaration of 26 December 2016 and 2 January 2017, both falling on a Monday, as special (non-working) days will give the people full opportunity to celebrate the holidays with their families and loved ones;

WHEREAS, a longer weekend promotes domestic tourism and enables employers to plan their work schedules effectively and efficiently, resulting in improved productivity.

NOW, THEREFORE, I, MENARDO I. GUEVARRA, Acting Executive Secretary, by agthority of the President, RODRIGO ROA DUTERTE, do hereby declare 26 Decbmber 2016 and 2 January 2017, both falling on a Monday, as special (non-working) days throughout the country.

The Departrnent of Labor and Employment is hereby directed to issue the appropriate circular to implement this Proclamation for the private sector.

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand and caused the seal of the Republic of the Philippines to be affixed.

Done in the city of Manila, this 13th day of December, in the year of our Lord, Two Thousand and Sixteen.

By authority of the President.

MENARDO I. GUEVARRA
Acting Siecutive Secretary

By the Acting Executive Secretary:
RYAN ALVIN R. ACOSTA
Acting Deputy Executive Secretary for Legal Affairs

Click here to get a PDF copy of the Proclamation No. 117, series of 2016.