Aug. 20 holiday 'economics' proclamation signed

Executive Secretary Eduardo Ermita has signed the proclamation declaring August 20, which falls on the eve of "Ninoy Aquino Day," as a special non-working holiday. He also affirmed that Bonifacio Day (November 30) and Rizal Day (December 30) will remain regular holidays whose observance dates will be unchanged. "Now, therefore, I, Eduardo Ermita, Executive Secretary, by authority of Her Excellency, Gloria Macapagal Arroyo, do hereby declare ... Aug. 20, 2007 (Monday) (as) a special (non-working) day throughout the country," Proclamation 1353 read. It added that: "August 21, 2007 (Tuesday) shall be a working day throughout the country. All activities and celebrations in observance of 'Ninoy Aquino Day' shall, however, remain to be observed on Aug. 21, 2007." Ermita also ordered the Department of Labor and Employment to promulgate implementing guidelines for the holidays. President Arroyo recently signed into law Republic Act 9492, which moves holidays, traditional non-working days to the nearest Monday. If the holiday falls on a Wednesday, the holiday would be observed on the Monday of that week. If it falls on a Sunday, the holiday would be observed on the Monday that follows. Under Republic Act 9492, the following holidays would be moved to the nearest Monday: Araw ng Kagitingan (from April 9); Labor Day (from May 1); Independence Day (from June 12); Ninoy Aquino Day (from August 21); National Heroes Day (from the last Sunday of August); Andres Bonifacio Day (from November 30); and Rizal Day (from December 30). - GMANews.TV