Palace: No holiday economics for Araw ng Kagitingan

There will be no holiday economics for Araw ng Kagitingan as the event will be commemorated on a Saturday, Malacañang said Monday. In an entry on the Official Gazette's Twitter account, the Palace cited Proclamation 84, which was signed Dec. 20, 2010. "To those asking, Araw ng Kagitingan will be observed on April 9, a Saturday. Please refer to (Proclamation) 84," it said. Araw ng Kagitingan (Day of Valor) marks the courage of Filipino soldiers who surrendered to Japanese forces during World War II. Most of these prisoners of war were forced to endure a 140-km march, during which several died of dehydration, heat, and wounds. Under Proclamation 84, Araw ng Kagitingan is among the regular holidays for 2011, along with New Year's Day (Jan. 1), Maundy Thursday (April 21), and Good Friday (April 22). Other regular holidays that fall on a weekend include Labor Day (May 1, Sunday), Independence Day (June 12, Sunday), and Christmas Day (Dec. 25, Sunday). Regular holidays that fall on a weekday include National Heroes' Day (Aug. 29, last Monday of August); Bonifacio Day (Nov. 30, Wednesday), and Rizal Day (Friday). Special non-working days include Ninoy Aquino Day (Aug. 21, Sunday); All Saints' Day (Nov. 1, Tuesday); and the last day of the year (Dec. 31, Saturday). - KBK, GMA News