Philippines Holidays 2011

President Benigno Aquino III has issued Proclamation No. 84, which identified the holidays in 2011. This goes against the previous administration’s practice of moving the holiday to the nearest Monday to enable workers to enjoy long weekends.  The previous administration pursued the so-called holiday economics which encouraged people to visit tourist destinations during long weekends.

Under Proclamation 84, the regular holidays for 2011 are New Year’s Day on 1st January; Araw ng Kagitingan [Day of Valour] on 9th April; Maundy Thursday on 21st April; Good Friday on 22nd April; Labour Day on 1st May; Independence Day on 12th June; National Heroes Day on 29th August; Bonifacio Day on 30th November; Christmas Day on 25th December; and Rizal Day on 30th December.

The special non-working holidays are Ninoy Aquino Day on 21st August; All Saints’ Day on 1st November; the last day of the year on 31st December.  The 25th of February was declared a special working holiday (no school classes) to mark the People Power Revolution of 1986.

“The proclamations declaring national holidays for the observance of Eid’l Fitr and Eidul Adha shall hereafter be issued after the approximate dates of the Islamic holidays have been determined in accordance with the Islamic calendar (Hijra) or the lunar calendar, or upon Islamic astronomical calculations, whichever is possible or convenient,” the president said.