Is February 25 still a holiday? Here's the answer
President Bongbong Marcos has declared Feb. 24 as a special non-working holiday in pursuant to the principle of holiday economics.
On the evening of Feb. 23, the Palace released Proclamation No. 167, moving the EDSA People Power Revolution Anniversary celebration from Feb. 25 (which falls on a Saturday) to Feb. 24.
Signed by Executive Secretary Lucas P. Bersamin, the proclamation was issued “to enable our countrymen to avail of the benefits of a longer weekend pursuant to the principle of holiday economics,” while still stressing the holiday’s historical significance.
The principle of holiday economics, first introduced during the term of former President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo but removed by former President Noynoy Aquino, was re-established by Marcos in November 2022 thorugh Proclamation No. 90.
However, while some rejoiced over the “long weekend,” many were left dismayed by the late changes, as it has been only announced the night before.
"It's good that the holiday economics is back. What's not okay is making last minute announcements for something that could have been long planned out," Atty. Gideon Peña tweeted, adding that other people need advance notice for things including bank transactions.
It’s good that holiday economics is back.
— Gideon V. Peña (@attygideon) February 23, 2023
What’s not okay is making last minute announcements for something that could have been long planned out. Some people need advance notice for a lot of things, including financial transactions.
One netizen also explained the purpose of holiday economics and that it "entails planning."
He wrote: "Afaik holiday economics was used for people to travel more and increase consumption during long weekends. But it entails planning for the working public, di yung on the spot, declare agad na walang pasok, end of business day pa. And in this economy?"
Following the late announcement, netizens were also confused about whether only Feb. 24 is declared as a holiday or both Feb. 24 and 25 are holidays, noting that private companies have six working days.
The answer came this morning when the Official Gazette updated its list of regular and special holidays for 2023, where only Feb. 24, Friday is listed as a holiday in line with the EDSA People Power Revolution Anniversary.
At 12 p.m. today, the Facebook page of the Official Gazette also released a statement confirming that Feb. 25 is a regular working day.
"Consistent with the holidays moved in furtherance of holiday economics as contained in Proclamation No. 90 dated November 11, 2022, February 24, 2023 has been declared a special non-working holiday to mark the Edsa anniversary in lieu of February 25, 2023 (a regular working day) but without diminishing the latter's significance," the statement reads.
Meanwhile, some banks have announced that they are open during the holiday to accommodate clients.
Metrobank announced that its branches nationwide are open on Friday, February 24 from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m., despite the late announcement of the special non-working holiday.
Select China Bank branches will also be open on the 24th to serve banking customers.
Editor's note: This story was updated to include Offical Gazette of the Philippines' announcement confirming Malacañang's decision to declare Feb. 24 as a special non-working holiday in lieu of Feb. 25.
