There are two national non-working holidays in August — Ninoy Aquino Day and National Heroes Day. We know there’s a previous list of 2010 Holidays and maybe you’re already aware about these August holidays, but recent developments require a separate discussion for the Ninoy Aquino Day.
There should be no problem with National Heroes Day, fixed in August 30, a Monday, by Proclamation 1841. The law providing for movable holidays say that National Heroes Day should be on the last Monday of August, which falls in August 30 this year.
We received a query if Ninoy Aquino Day will remain on August 21, which was quite surprising because Proclamation 1841 already previously fixed it in August 23. Here’s the more surprising part — just a while ago, I heard the Presidential Spokesman mention that Ninoy Aquino Day will be moved back to August 21 (see Proclamation No. 13).
Loading ...The move is understandable, given the fact that Ninoy Aquino Day has been traditionally commemorated every August 21st, the actual date of Ninoy’s death. Since Benigno “Noynoy” Aquino is now the President, maybe he’d want to set the date back to August 21. Besides, the law on movable holidays provides that if a holiday falls on a Wednesday, the holiday will be observed on the Monday of the week. If the holiday falls on a Sunday, the holiday will be observed on the Monday that follows.
On the other hand, the law provides that Ninoy Aquino Day shall be celebrated on the “Monday nearest August 21.” That’s August 23. Though the President has leeway in changing the dates, we believe President Aquino should retain August 23 (update: we’re obviously wrong; see Proclamation No. 13). This was announced since July of last year. We understand the current administration’s policy against the holiday economics, and I fully support that, but it should be made way in advance. August 23 is just around the corner and many individuals, myself included, already made plans since last year. As noted somewhere, the change will bring more instability in government policies because schedules (including businesses) have already been fixed months ago.
What do you think? Your comments below or vote in the poll.
Related posts:
- 2010 Holidays: Official National and Regular Holidays in the Philippines
- August 5, 2009 a Holiday: Burial of Pres. Corazon Aquino
- Proclamation 13: Declaring 21 August 2010 as Nationwide Special Non-Working Holiday
- Official 2009 Holidays: Declared National and Regular Holidays in the Philippines
- August 30, 2011 (Tuesday) a National Holiday (Eid’l Fitr, Last Day of Ramadan)
- 2011 Holidays: Official National (Regular and Special) Holidays in the Philippines
- National Regular and Special Holidays for 2008 in the Philippines
August 13th, 2010 at 9:06 am
I think changing the dates of the regular non-working holiday is not right.Isipin din sana ng pangulo ang kapakanan ng karaniwang mga manggagawa na nais rin ng break or bakasyon galing sa stressfull at pressure na trabaho.I thinks Pnoy is a Pro-Employer.”Kayo ang Boss Ko!”(mga employer)
August 13th, 2010 at 10:27 am
ano ba naman yan!!! isang araw lang na break natin, ginulo pa ni abnoy!!!! sana naman istick na siya sa aug.23…ok na sana eh, sumablay pa sa holiday policy niya…..kakaturn off!
August 13th, 2010 at 11:05 am
I agree with your sentiments of the changing of the holiday declarations this late. Since the publication of the 2010 holidays, we have scheduled our vacation leaves to enjoy the long weekends, and now its totally ruined!!! Hope the August 30 will remain as is, since this is a regular holiday, unlike the August 21, which is a special holiday. P-noy should also consider the employees’ side in reviewing the holiday economic law. Monthly-paid employees are paid 365 days in a year, including Sundays and Holidays. If the National Heroes Day will be moved back to August 29 (Sunday), then the benefit of being paid on an unworked holiday would have no impact at all! This will be a bonus day for employers instead, since the two paid unworked days fall on the same day!!!! I think it just fair to retain the National Heroes day on August 30.
August 13th, 2010 at 11:14 am
I am with you in your sentiments of changing the holidays this late. Since the publication of the 2010 holidays, we have scheduled our vacation leaves ahead of time to enjoy the long weekends, and now it’s totally ruined!!! P-noy should also consider the employees in reviewing the holiday economics law, and not only the employers’ side. Hope the August 30 holiday will remain as is, considering it is a regular holiday, unlike the August 23 which is a special holiday. For monthly paid employees, we are paid 365 days a year including the unworked rest days and holidays. Moving back the holiday on August 29, which is Sunday, will be a bonus day for employers since the two paid unworked days fall on the same day…. and the benefit of being paid on unworked holiday would have no impact at all!!! I think it is just fair to retain the National Heroes Day on August 30….
August 13th, 2010 at 2:18 pm
i think it is just right that we respect pres ninoy’s decision.
now is the right time to embrace changes, para umasenso naman ang pilipinas.
August 13th, 2010 at 5:25 pm
Pina, we embrace change, precisely the reason why we voted for Pnoy. This act, however, is consistent with what hapened before – wild swing in holiday dates at very short notice. We made reservations since last year coz rates were cheaper. Now we are confronted with this inconsiderate move. This is beneficial to business, yes, bt business already prepared since last year. if they want to change other holiday dates, do it way, way in advance, not 1 wk before. Pareha lang yan sa dating gawi.
August 16th, 2010 at 3:07 am
[...] Ninoy Aquino Day — 23 August 2010 (special non-working holiday; previously scheduled in August 23 under Proc. 1841, moved to August 21 under Proclamation 13; see discussion here) [...]
August 17th, 2010 at 10:50 pm
It’s just right to keep Aug 21 as ninoy aquino day.
Holiday Economics is GLORIA thing…
August 23rd, 2010 at 1:12 pm
..anu po ba talaga ang tama???..nilipat po ba talaga ng Saturday ang national heroes day???…or remain pa rin ng Monday ang national heroes day???…maaari po ba na linaw po ito ulit at maipalabas sa mga balita kung kelan po ba talaga ang holiday if Monday po b or nalipat ng Saturday..salamat po…