PNoy declares Black Saturday a special non-working holiday

President Benigno Aquino III on Monday declared April 23, 2011, Black Saturday, a special non-working holiday throughout the country. In Proclamation 150, Aquino said Black Saturday has been traditionally declared a special non-working holiday. “The observance of Holy Week is one of our people’s most cherished traditions. Our people must be given the full and uninterrupted opportunity to ponder on the significance of the Holy Week and to properly observe its traditions with religious fervor, without prejudice to public interest," he said. The President earlier issued Proclamation 84, which decreed Maundy Thursday and Good Friday as regular holidays. The Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) has earlier issued pay rules for Maundy Thursday and Good Friday. — Amita O. Legaspi/KBK, GMA News