Palace declares holidays in 11 areas

MANILA, Philippines — Malacañang has declared non-working holidays in 11 areas in the country to allow residents to commemorate their anniversaries and participate in local events.

The holidays were declared in separate proclamations signed on May 27 by Executive Secretary Lucas Bersamin upon the authority of President Marcos.

Proclamation No. 554 declared June 11 a special non-working day in Rizal province, which will celebrate its 123rd founding anniversary. 

Two proclamations seek to commemorate the 33rd anniversary of the Mt. Pinatubo eruption, the second major volcanic eruption in the 20th century, which affected the provinces of Bataan, Nueva Ecija, Pampanga, Tarlac and Zambales.

Proclamations 555 and 556 declared June 15 a special non-working day in Pampanga and Angeles City, respectively, to ensure that residents would remember the lessons learned from the calamity. 

Bersamin signed Proclamation No. 557, declaring June 21 a holiday in Bayugan, Agusan del Sur, which will celebrate its 17th charter anniversary.

Proclamation No. 558 declared June 17 a holiday in Lapu-Lapu City in Cebu for its 63rd charter anniversary.

Similar holidays were also declared in Maco in Davao de Oro on June 17; Presentacion in Camarines Sur, June 18; Balete in Batangas, June 21, and Santa Teresita in Cagayan on June 22.

The holidays in Maco, Presentacion, Balete and Sta. Teresita are contained in Proclamation Nos. 559, 560, 561 and 563, respectively.

Balete, Maco and Santa Teresita will be celebrating their founding anniversaries while Presentacion will commemorate its 63rd Charter Day.

Bersamin also signed Proclamation No. 562 declaring June 21 a special non-working day in Maasim, Sarangani, which will celebrate its 55th founding anniversary and the 17th Kestebeng Festival.

Proclamation No. 564 declared  June 24 a holiday in Masbate for the Bagat-Dagat Festival.