Question & AnswerQ&A (PROCLAMATION NO. 859)
June 19, 2005, marks the 144th Birth Anniversary of Dr. Jose P. Rizal, an important historical figure in the Philippines, particularly significant to the City of Calamba as his birthplace.
June 20, 2005, was declared a special non-working day because June 19, 2005, fell on a Sunday, and the Local Government requested a non-working day on Monday to enable the people to properly celebrate the occasion.
The Executive Secretary, by authority of the President of the Philippines, has the authority to declare a special (non-working) day.
The declaration is made by the President of the Philippines through an Executive Secretary by issuing a proclamation, such as Proclamation No. 859, recognizing the local government's request and the importance of the occasion.
On a special (non-working) day, government offices and possibly private establishments may suspend work, allowing workers to observe the occasion without requiring work on that day, subject to the labor code and employer policies.
The Office of the Sangguniang Panlungsod requested the declaration of June 20, 2005, as a special non-working day to allow the people of Calamba to celebrate Dr. Jose Rizal's birth anniversary.
Official proclamations are legal instruments used by the President or authorized officials to declare special days, holidays, or enact measures that have the force of law within their jurisdiction.
Eduardo R. Ermita, the Executive Secretary, signed the proclamation on behalf of the President.
The seal signifies the official and legal authenticity of the proclamation as an act of the government.
When a significant event falls on a Sunday, the government may declare the following Monday as a special non-working day to allow proper observance and celebration, as was done in this case.