By Benjamin Cuaresma
MANILA — President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. has approved a series of proclamations declaring special non-working days in seven local government units to commemorate founding anniversaries, cityhood celebrations, and annual festivals scheduled from late July through early August.
The proclamations, signed by Executive Secretary Ralph Recto on behalf of the President, cover municipalities and cities in Luzon and Mindanao, allowing residents to fully participate in civic and cultural celebrations.
Leading the list is the Municipality of Labangan in Zamboanga del Sur, where July 20 has been declared a special non-working day in observance of its 77th founding anniversary.
The same date was also declared a holiday in Digos City, Davao del Sur, to give residents more time to celebrate the Padigosan Festival. The celebration was originally scheduled for July 19, but local officials requested that the holiday be moved to July 20 since the original date fell on a Sunday.
On July 21, General Nakar, Quezon, will observe a special non-working day as it celebrates another milestone in its municipal history.
Two local government units will celebrate on July 22. The Municipality of Mutia in Zamboanga del Norte will mark the 66th Araw ng Mutia, while Pililla, Rizal, will simultaneously commemorate its town fiesta and founding anniversary.
Meanwhile, residents of Santiago City, Isabela, will observe a special non-working day on July 25 for the annual Aggaw na Naturales Day, which honors the city’s founding.
The final proclamation covers Cabuyao City, Laguna, where Aug. 4 has been declared a special non-working day to celebrate the city’s 14th cityhood anniversary.
The Office of the President said the declarations are intended to provide local communities sufficient time to participate in activities that highlight their history, culture, and traditions.
The proclamations were signed on different dates in July, with Proclamation Nos. 1346 to 1348 approved on July 9, Proclamation No. 1349 on July 13, Proclamation Nos. 1350 and 1351 on July 14, and Proclamation No. 1352 on July 16.
ia/xf
Under existing labor regulations, employees who do not report for work on a special non-working day are generally covered by the “no work, no pay” rule, unless a company policy or collective bargaining agreement provides otherwise. Workers who render service during these holidays are entitled to additional pay in accordance with Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) guidelines.
