GMA bares list of holidays

This early, President Arroyo has declared April 7, June 11, Nov. 2 and Dec. 24 as special non-working holidays to celebrate various occasions in the country.

Under Proclamation No. 1211, Mrs. Arroyo said April 7, a Saturday, falls between Good Friday and Easter Sunday, thus could be declared a special non-working day to "give our people the full and uninterrupted opportunity to ponder on the significance of the Holy Week."

She said this will also allow the people to properly observe its traditions with religious fervor, without prejudice to public interest.

June 11, a Monday, will be a non-working holiday to celebrate Independence Day while June 12, Tuesday, will be a working day. All activities and celebrations in observance of Independence Day, however, will be observed on June 12, the proclamation read.

Nov. 2, a Friday, was declared a special non-working day to give the people more time to observe All Saints’ Day.

The proclamation also states that Dec. 24, a Monday, will be a special non-working day to enable Filipinos to have a more meaningful observance of Christmas and give them greater opportunities to strengthen their ties with one another.

Mrs. Arroyo signed the proclamation on Jan. 10. The Palace said it will try to announce holidays early so the business community will be properly advised and that both public and private operations will not be disturbed.

The President has long been implementing holiday economics to boost domestic tourism and allow Filipinos to have more time with their families.

Holiday economics entails the declaration of a Monday or a Friday as non-working days if they are sandwiched between regular holidays so Filipinos may enjoy longer weekends. — Aurea Calica