(File photo)

MANILA, (PIA) -- President Ferdinand "Bongbong" Marcos Jr. on Monday, Aug. 22, signed Proclamation No. 42, which was released to media on Tuesday, Aug. 23, declaring the regular, special non-working and working days for the year 2023.

The Regular Holidays are as follows:

New Year's Day – January 1 (Sunday)
Maundy Thursday – April 6
Good Friday – April 7
Bravery Day – April 9 (Sunday)
Labor Day – May 1 (Monday)
Independence Day – June 12 (Monday)
National Heroes Day – August 28 (Monday)
Bonifacio Day – November 30 (Thursday)
Christmas Day – December 25 (Monday)
Rizal Day – December 30 (Saturday)

Special Non-Working days are:

EDSA People Power Revolution Anniversary – February 25 (Saturday)
Black Saturday – April 8
Ninoy Aquino Day – August 21 (Monday)
All Saints' Day – November 1 (Wednesday)
Feast of the Immaculate Conception of Mary – December 8 (Friday)
Last Day of the Year – December 31 (Sunday)
November 2, a Thursday, was set as an additional special non-working day.

In the Philippines, "Regular Holidays" would mean that these are the holidays that have a fixed date or the date does not change such as New Years' Day, Independence Day and Christmas Day.

There are, however, regular holidays that may vary in the date of observance such as the National Heroes Day (held every last Monday of August) and religious holidays such as Maundy Thursday, Good Friday, Eid'l Fitr and Eidul Adha.

On the other hand, holidays are more flexible under the Special Non-Working days category.

Special Non-Working days are more flexible or their days can be changed.

But apart from the fact that they still need to be enacted by Congress, the President can also declare them based on discretion. These holidays are usually implemented by order of the President.

Meanwhile, a separate proclamation will be made to declare national holidays for Eid'l Fitr or the end of Ramadan and Eid'l Adha or Feast of the Sacrifice, which follow the date of Islamic holidays.

These dates are determined based on the Islamic calendar or lunar calendar.

The National Commission on Muslim Filipinos will recommend to the Office of the President the dates on which the said holidays will be observed. (PIA-NCR)