Question & AnswerQ&A (PROCLAMATION NO. 1695)
The purpose of Proclamation No. 1695 is to declare Friday, January 2, 2009, as an additional special (non-working) day throughout the Philippines.
Proclamation No. 1695 was signed on December 24, 2008.
Declaring January 2, 2009, as an additional special non-working day aims to encourage families to get together, promote domestic tourism, and enable employers to plan work schedules effectively, thereby improving productivity.
Proclamation No. 1463, dated February 18, 2008, is referenced, which declared December 26 and 29, 2008, as additional special (non-working) days.
An additional special (non-working) day is a day declared by the government as a holiday where employees are generally excused from work but the rules regarding payment vary compared to regular holidays.
Longer weekends are beneficial because they encourage family bonding, promote domestic tourism, and enable employers to plan schedules efficiently, resulting in improved productivity.
The directive is applicable throughout the entire country of the Philippines, including both public and private sectors.
The legal authority is the Executive Secretary by the authority of the President of the Philippines, Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo.