Question & AnswerQ&A (PROCLAMATION NO. 845)
The legal basis is Republic Act No. 9492, dated 24 July 2007, which amended Section 26, Chapter 7, Book I of Executive Order No. 292 (Administrative Code of 1987) to declare certain days as regular or special holidays.
Republic Act No. 9849, dated 11 December 2009, provides that Eidul Adha shall be celebrated as a national holiday.
Regular holidays declared were: New Year's Day (January 1), Araw ng Kagitingan (April 9), Maundy Thursday (April 9), Good Friday (April 10), Labor Day (May 1), Independence Day (June 12), National Heroes Day (last Monday of August, August 31), Bonifacio Day (November 30), Christmas Day (December 25), and Rizal Day (December 30).
Special (non-working) days declared were Chinese New Year (January 25), EDSA People Power Revolution Anniversary (February 25), Black Saturday (April 11), Ninoy Aquino Day (August 21), All Saints' Day (November 1), Feast of the Immaculate Conception of Mary (December 8), Last Day of the Year (December 31), and additional special days on November 2 and December 24.
Declaring November 2 and December 24 as additional special days strengthens family ties by allowing more time for commemorative activities related to All Saints' Day, All Souls' Day, and Christmas, and also promotes domestic tourism.
The National Commission on Muslim Filipinos (NCMF) is responsible for informing the Office of the President of the actual dates of these Islamic holidays in accordance with the Islamic calendar or lunar calendar.
The Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) is tasked with promulgating the implementing guidelines for the Proclamation.
Proclamation No. 845 took effect immediately upon signing, and it is required to be published in a newspaper of general circulation for validity.
Generally, on a regular holiday, employees are entitled to their full daily wage even if they do not work, and premium pay if they work on that day; on a special (non-working) day, employees who do not work are not entitled to pay unless there is a favorable company policy or practice.