Non-working holiday on Thursday, Friday

CEBU, Philippines - Workers in Cebu will enjoy a long weekend next week as Thursday and Friday have been declared special non-working holiday and regular holiday respectively. 

Yesterday, President Aquino declared September 10, Friday, as a regular holiday throughout the country in observance of Eid’l Fitr, or Feast of Ramadan.

On Thursday, Sept. 9, the country will celebrate the 132nd birth anniversary of President Sergio Osmeña Sr., a non-working holiday in Cebu.

Under Proclamation 26 signed on Thursday, Mr. Aquino said the main date for the celebration of Eid’l Fitr had been determined to fall on Friday next week. Eid’l Fitr is celebrated by the Muslim world for three days after the end of the month of fasting.

“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,” Aquino said.

The president said it was also important to declare Sept. 10 a holiday to bring the reli gious and cultural significance of the Eid’l Fitr to the fore of national consciousness.

Republic Act 9177, signed into law in November 2002 during the Arroyo administration, declares the first day of Shawwal, the 10th month of the Islamic calendar, a national holiday for the observance of Eid’l Fitr.

“Eid’l Fitr is the first day marking the end of the 30-day fasting period of Ramadan,” RA 9177 read.

The celebration of Eid’l Fitr depends on the Islamic calendar.

RA 9177 says “the approximate date of these Islamic holidays may be determined in accordance with the Islamic calendar (Hijra) or the lunar calendar, or upon Islamic astronomical calculations, whichever is possible or convenient.”

“Eid” is an Arabic word for “festivity” while “Fi?r” means “to purify.” The Ramadan began on August 11 this year and will end on September 10.

During Ramadan, Muslims ask forgiveness for their sins, pray for guidance and help in refraining from everyday evils, and try to purify themselves through self-restraint and good deeds.

Republic Act 6953 declares every September 9 a non-working holiday in Cebu but a special public working holiday in the rest of the country.

The labor code provides that those who work on a special non-working holiday are entitled to an additional 30 percent of their basic pay. Those who work on regular holidays will 100 percent additional pay.

There will be no classes in all schools in the province on Thursday and Friday.

Known in Cebu as the Grand Old Man, Osmeña served as the province’s youngest governor at 25, speaker of the First Philippine Assembly, senator and vice president.

He became president following the death of then President Manuel Quezon in 1944.

Osmeña died in 1961. (THE FREEMAN)