Bye, long weekends: Malacañang declares Nov. 2, Dec. 24, Dec. 31 ‘special working days’
Malacañang has amended the list of holidays in 2021, making All Souls’ Day, Christmas Eve, and the last day of the year “special working days.”
Proclamation 1107 signed by President Rodrigo Duterte on Feb. 26 states that Nov. 2 (Tuesday), Dec. 24 (Friday), and Dec. 31 (Friday) are now classified as special working days. The move came after Proclamation 986 was signed, declaring these days as special non-working days last July 30, 2020.
"For the country to recover from the adverse economic impact of the COVID-19 pandemic, there is a need to encourage economic productivity by, among others, minimizing work disruption and commemorating some special holidays as special (working) days instead," said Duterte.
According to Labor Secretary Silvester Belo III, employees working on these days will only be given their basic rate as they are considered working days. If an employee does not work, the “no work, no pay” principle shall apply unless there is a company policy granting payment on a special day.
All other provisions of Proclamation No. 986 shall remain unchanged, valid, and existing.
Here is the list of regular of holidays and special non-working days of 2021:
Regular holidays
New Year’s Day– January 1 (Friday)
Araw ng Kagitingan– April 9 (Friday)
Maundy Thursday– April 1
Good Friday– April 2
Labor Day– May 1 (Saturday)
Independence Day– June 12 (Saturday)
National Heroes’ Day– August 30 (Lasy Monday of August)
Bonifacio Day– November 30 (Tuesday)
Christmas Day– December 25 (Saturday
Rizal Day -December 30 (Thursday)
Special non-working days
Chinese New Year– February 12 (Friday)
Edsa People Power Anniversary– February 25 (Thursday)
Black Saturday– April 3
Ninoy Aquino Day– August 21 (Saturday)
All Saints’ Day– November 1 (Monday)
Feast of the Immaculate Conception of Mary– December 8 (Wednesday)
Special working days
All Souls’ Day – November 2 (Tuesday)
Christmas Eve – December 24 (Friday)
Last Day of the Year– December 31 (Friday)
Read the updated decree here.