Question & AnswerQ&A (PROCLAMATION NO. 391)
Proclamation No. 391 dated May 29, 2012, is a proclamation declaring Monday, 16 July 2012, as a special (non-working) day in the Cordillera Administrative Region (CAR) in celebration of CAR Foundation Day.
Monday, 16 July 2012, was declared a special non-working day because the actual Foundation Day of CAR falls on Sunday, 15 July 2012, and the Chairman of the RDC-CAR requested the observance be moved to the following Monday to allow full participation in the celebration.
The President of the Philippines, or an authorized representative such as the Executive Secretary, has the authority to declare special non-working days through official proclamations.
Declaring a special (non-working) day allows people to participate in celebrations and ceremonies without the obligation to work, usually without loss of income for certain government and private sector employees subject to labor laws.
The legal basis is the authority vested in the President by the Constitution and existing laws to declare holidays or special non-working days for specific purposes such as regional or national observances.
The Cordillera Administrative Region is a region in the Philippines composed of several provinces with a distinct cultural and historical identity, recognized by the government for administrative purposes.
The proclamation seeks to ensure that the people of the Cordillera Administrative Region have the opportunity to celebrate their Foundation Day with proper ceremonies by declaring a special non-working day.
Proclamation No. 391 was signed by President Benigno S. Aquino III and by Executive Secretary Paquito N. Ochoa Jr. by authority of the President.
On a special (non-working) day, workers who do not report to work may generally be entitled to receive their regular daily wage without deduction, but those who do work may receive additional compensation as prescribed under the Labor Code or relevant labor issuances.
The RDC-CAR plays an advisory role by recommending to the national government the declaration of special non-working days to facilitate regional festivities and observances like the CAR Foundation Day.