Palace declares holidays for 2010

President Arroyo issued Proclamation No. 1841 declaring the regular holidays, special (non-working) days and special holidays (for all schools) for the 2010. A Malacañang statement said Proclamation 1841 signed last July 21 is in line with Republic Act 9492, which provides that non-religious holidays be moved to the nearest Monday. "This will also serve to strengthen family relationships by providing a longer week-end and renewing ties for a longer period of time, as well as promote domestic tourism," Mrs. Arroyo said in her proclamation. R.A. 9492 also provides that the Eid'l Adha shall be celebrated as a regional holiday in the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao, the Palace said. Under Proclamation 1841, the following regular holidays and special days for the year 2010 shall be observed in the country: * Regular Holidays January 1 - New Year's Day April 1 - Maundy Thursday April 2 - Good Friday April 9 - Araw ng Kagitingan May 1 - Labor Day June 14 (Monday nearest June 12) - Independence Day August 30 (Last Monday of August) - National Heroes Day November 29 (Monday nearest November 30) - Bonifacio Day December 25 (Saturday) - Christmas Day December 27 (Monday nearest December 30) - Rizal Day * Special (Non-Working) Days August 23 (Monday nearest August 21) - Ninoy Aquino Day November 1 (Monday) - All Saints' Day * Additional Special (Non-Working) Day December 24 (Friday) December 31 (Friday) - Last Day of the Year * Special Holiday (for all schools) February 22 (Monday nearest February 25) - EDSA Revolution Anniversary On the other hand, the proclamation declaring a national holiday for the observance of Eid'l Fitr shall be issued after the approximate date of the Islamic holiday has been determined in accordance with the Islamic calendar (Hijra) or the lunar calendar, or upon Islamic astronomical calculations, whichever is possible or convenient. The Office on Muslim Affairs (OMA) shall inform the Office of the President on which day the holiday shall fall. Also, to bring the religious and cultural significance of the Eid'l Adha to the fore of national consciousness, a proclamation declaring a national holiday shall also hereafter be likewise issued after the approximate date of the Islamic holiday has been determined in accordance with the Islamic calendar (Hijra) or the lunar calendar, or upon Islamic astronomical calculations, whichever is possible or convenient. In this connection, the President also said that the OMA shall inform the Office of the President on which day the holiday shall fall. - GMANews.TV