Dec. 24, 31 declared special non-working days

President Benigno Aquino III has declared December 24 and December 31 as special non-working days, giving Filipinos two consecutive long weekends to enjoy as the two dates fall on a Friday. Presidential Communications Operations Office head Herminio Coloma Jr. on Sunday said December 25 is a regular holiday. Meanwhile, the commemoration for Rizal Day, December 30, another regular holiday, will be moved to December 27, Monday, as part of the government’s so-called holiday economics, where a holiday is moved to the nearest Monday. "The official holiday season starts on December 24 and, excluding a pocket of three working days (Dec. 28, 29, 30), ends on Monday, January 3, 2011," the Palace said in an advisory on the Official Gazette.– KBK, GMANews.TV