Sen. Chiz Escudero eyes limiting number of PH holidays
Senate President Chiz Escudero is eyeing to reduce or limit the number of holidays in the country.
In a press briefing on Wednesday, Aug. 7, Escudero disclosed that the Senate is examining a proposal that would cut down on the number of holidays, saying that the current number of holidays, which can sometimes last for more than a month, is thought to be "detrimental to the competitiveness" of Filipino workers and businesses.
"Mahigit isang buwan na ang holiday sa buong bansa which makes Philippine company and workers less competitive," he said.
"Di ba may holiday 'yung siyudad, may holiday 'yung munisipyo, may holiday 'yung probinsya, may national holiday, may religious holiday, 'di ba? Which makes us less competitive."
Escudero also noted that the proposal is still under thorough study as this can cause conflict.
"Isa yan sa pinagpapa-aaralan [ko] sa kanila ngayon sa komite. Ang problema lang, away 'yan eh pero 'di naman kailangan gawin ngayon, simulang lang natin 'yung proseso hayaan mong mag perculate siya, mapagpasyahan."
The senate president continued, "'cause I tell you, it's making [the] Filipino workers less competitive because our competitors from other countries aren't requiring these companies to pay double dahil nagkataon lamang na holiday at wala namang kinalaman sa bansang pinagtatrabahuan nila lalo na sa call center."
Moreover, Escudero underscored that the country's lawmakers agreed to limit the number of holidays as multiple holidays like Araw ng Kagitingan (Day of Valor), National Heroes Day, and even holidays for individual heroes can lead to an overload of holidays, with each hero or event getting its own day.
He even considers how the United States celebrates its Presidents' Day, which streamlines its holiday calendar by combining the celebration of several notable presidents into one day.
According to Proclamation No. 368 declaring the regular holidays and special (non-working) days for the year 2024, there are 10 regular holidays in the country, including the New Year's Day (Jan. 1), Maundy Thursday (Mar. 28), Good Friday (Mar. 29), Araw ng Kagitingan (Apr. 9), Labor Day (May 1), Independence Day (Jun. 12), National Heroes Day (Aug. 26), Bonifacio Day (Nov. 30), Christmas Day (Dec. 25) and Rizal Day (Dec. 30).
Meanwhile, there are four special (non-working) days: Ninoy Aquino Day (Aug. 21), All Saints' Day (Nov. 1), Feast of the Immaculate Conception of Mary (Dec. 8), and Last Day of the Year (Dec. 31).
Additional special (non-working) days include Chinese New Year (Feb. 10), Black Saturday (Mar. 30), All Souls's Day (Nov. 2), and Christmas Eve (Dec. 24).
Similarly, the proclamations declaring national holidays for the observance of Eid al Fitr and Eid al Adha were issued after the approximate dates of the Islamic holidays had been determined following the Islamic calendar.