Purpose and Significance of the Declaration
- The declaration is tied to the celebration of the Sambuokan Festival, an annual cultural event held every last weekend of October.
- The festival commemorates the foundation of Mati as a municipality before its eventual cityhood.
- The declaration aims to allow residents to fully participate in and enjoy the festivities together as a community.
Initiating Authority and Request
- The declaration followed a formal request from the Office of the Mayor of the City of Mati.
- The request was made to provide constituents the opportunity to join festival activities without work obligations.
Legal Authority and Issuance
- The proclamation was issued by the Executive Secretary, Lucas P. Bersamin, acting under the authority of President Ferdinand R. Marcos, Jr.
- The formal issuance process included the signing of the proclamation and the affixing of the seal of the Republic of the Philippines.
Limitation of Scope
- The special non-working day applies solely to the City of Mati in the Province of Davao Oriental.
- There is no extension of the non-working day status to other cities or provinces.
Date and Effectivity
- The proclamation date: September 27, 2023.
- The declared special non-working day: October 27, 2023.
Importance of Proclamations of Special (Non-Working) Days
- Such proclamations serve both cultural and socio-economic purposes by promoting community participation and local traditions.
- It provides government employees and private sector workers in the declared area an opportunity for rest and celebration.
Formality and Legal Validity
- The document bears an official signature and government seal, rendering it legally binding within its jurisdiction.
- The proclamation is an exercise of presidential prerogative through the Executive Secretary, reflecting adherence to administrative protocols.