QuestionsQuestions (EXECUTIVE ORDER NO. 203)
EO No. 203 provides a consolidated list of regular holidays and nationwide special days to be observed throughout the Philippines, addressing confusion caused by too many previously observed holidays.
It states that the listed regular holidays and special days shall be observed throughout the country unless otherwise modified by law, order, or proclamation.
They are: New Year’s Day (Jan. 1), Maundy Thursday (movable), Good Friday (movable), Araw ng Kagitingan/Bataan and Corregidor Day (Apr. 9), Labor Day (May 1), Independence Day (June 12), National Heroes Day (last Sunday of August), Bonifacio Day (Nov. 30), Christmas Day (Dec. 25), and Rizal Day (Dec. 30).
It means the dates change each year depending on the liturgical calendar of the Easter season.
It is observed on April 9.
It is observed on the last Sunday of August.
All Saints’ Day (Nov. 1) and Last Day of the Year (Dec. 31).
Bonifacio Day is November 30; Christmas Day is December 25; Rizal Day is December 30.
It provides that the terms “legal or regular holiday” and “special holiday” used in laws, orders, rules, regulations, or other issuances shall now be referred to as “regular holiday” and “special day,” respectively.
Section 3 states that all inconsistent laws, orders, issuances, rules, and regulations (or parts thereof) are repealed or modified accordingly.
It took effect immediately upon issuance (June 30, 1987).
Regular holidays are those in Section 1(A) (e.g., New Year’s Day, Maundy Thursday, Good Friday, Apr. 9, May 1, June 12, last Sunday of August, Nov. 30, Dec. 25, Dec. 30). Nationwide special days are those in Section 1(B) (Nov. 1 and Dec. 31).
It expressly allows modification by law, order, or proclamation; otherwise, the listed holidays/days are to be observed.
It states that the committee was constituted to review existing public holidays, which led to consolidating and standardizing the list to reduce public confusion.