DOLE: Feb. 25 a regular working day

While the government encouraged Filipinos to take part in activities for the 25th anniversary of the EDSA-1 People Power revolt on February 25, the day is still a regular working day. The Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) emphasized this on Monday to respond to queries from workers on whether Friday was a holiday. "It’s not necessary to issue an advisory on the pay rules to the country’s workers as February 25 remains a regular working day nationwide consistent with the practice of the previous years," Labor Secretary Rosalinda Baldoz said in a news release posted on the DOLE website. She cited Proclamation No. 84 dated December 20, 2010, where President Benigno Simeon Aquino III declared February 25 as a special holiday only for all of the nation’s schools. Still, Baldoz encouraged all sectors, including the DOLE's tripartite partners, to share in the spirit of the occasion. Baldoz said Aquino, in his proclamation, cited that "the EDSA People Power Revolution, which restored and ushered political, social and economic reforms in the country, serves as an inspiration to Filipinos everywhere as a nation and as a people." The DOLE also said the public sector will actively participate in the historic activities commemorating the event with the theme, "EDSA 25: Pilipino Ako, Ako Ang Lakas ng Pagbabago," based on the official Memorandum Circular No. 13 issued by Executive Secretary Paquito Ochoa Jr. on February 4. – VVP, GMA News