WHEREAS, Republic Act No. 9177 declared EID-UL-FITRE as a regular holiday;

WHEREAS, the date on which the EID-UL-FITRE (Feast of Ramadhan) falls varies from year to year, depending on the sighting of the new moon;

WHEREAS, the EID-UL-FITRE (Feast of Ramadhan) for the year 2003 has been determined to fall on Wednesday, November 26, 2003;

WHEREAS, to promote cultural understanding and integration, the entire Filipino nation should have the full opportunity to join our Muslim brothers and sisters in observing and celebrating this important day;

WHEREAS, in order to bring the religious and cultural significance of the EID-UL-FITRE (Feast of Ramadhan) to the fore of national consciousness, and upon recommendation of the Office on Muslim Affairs, it is necessary to declare Wednesday, November 26, 2003, as special non-working day throughout the country without prejudice to the public interest.

NOW, THEREFORE, I, ALBERTO G. ROMULO, Executive Secretary, by order of Her Excellency, GLORIA MACAPAGAL ARROYO, do hereby declare Wednesday, November 26, 2003, as special non-working day throughout the country.

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand and caused the seal of the Republic of the Philippines to be affixed.

Done in the City of Manila, this 10th day of November, in the year of Our Lord, Two Thousand the Three.


By the Executive Secret

(Sgd.) JOAQUIN C. LAGONERA
Senior Deputy Executive Secretary