QuestionsQuestions (PROCLAMATION NO. 234)
The proclamation cites Republic Act No. 9177, which declared Eidal Fitr (Feast of Ramadhan) as a regular holiday throughout the country.
Tuesday, 30 August 2011, was declared as the regular holiday throughout the country in observance of Eid al-Fitr.
The Eid al-Fitr prayer depends on the result of the Niyata or moon-sighting activity on the 29th day of Ramadhan 1432H, corresponding to 29 August 2011.
It states that declaring the holiday gives the entire Filipino nation the full opportunity to join Muslim brothers and sisters in the observance and celebration, promoting cultural understanding and integration.
The proclamation uses this fact as background for the observance of the holiday, explaining the religious timing and significance of Eid al-Fitr in the Muslim world.
The proclamation declares the regular holiday on 30 August 2011, while it notes that the actual timing/observance of the Eid al-Fitr prayer depends on moon-sighting results on 29 August 2011 (29th day of Ramadhan 1432H).
It means the declared holiday applies nationwide—i.e., all localities and government functions are covered as a regular holiday under Philippine law and policy on holiday observance.
They include: recognizing RA 9177 as the legal basis; acknowledging Eid al-Fitr’s religious timing; promoting cultural understanding and integration; and bringing the religious and cultural significance of Eid al-Fitr to national consciousness.
The President signed as Benigno S. Aquino III, and the Executive Secretary Paquito N. Ochoa Jr. signed “By authority of the President.”
It was issued on 11 August 2011, and it declares the holiday effective on Tuesday, 30 August 2011.
It references 29th day of Ramadhan 1432H and links it to the Gregorian date 29 August 2011; this is relevant because Eid observance depends on the lunar calendar and moon-sighting practices.
The practical question is whether the work holiday remains fixed on 30 August 2011 as a regular holiday, even if the Eid prayer observance may shift based on moon-sighting—i.e., how to reconcile actual religious observance with the government-declared holiday date.
It refers to the religious/lunar determination of Eid by seeing/confirming the new moon; it is mentioned because the proclamation seeks to align national observance timing with Islamic religious practice.
Even with RA 9177’s general declaration, the proclamation serves to specify the exact date in the Gregorian calendar and provides guidance on observance timing tied to moon-sighting.