WHEREAS, Republic Act No. 9492 ("R.A. No. 9492") dated July 24, 2007, entitled "An Act Rationalizing the Celebration of National Holidays Amending for the Purpose Section 26, Chapter 7, Book 1 of Executive Order No. 292, as amended, otherwise known as The Administrative Code of 1987", was issued to declare certain days (specific or movable) as special or regular holidays;

WHEREAS, R.A. 9492 provides that holidays, except those which are religious in nature, are moved to the nearest Monday unless otherwise modified by law, order or proclamation;

WHEREAS, May 1 (Labor Day) has been long cherished tradition of workers, a holiday which trade union fought very hard to institutionalize in the country and an international event that the workers want to celebrate on its exact date;

WHEREAS, in order to enable our countrymen to have a more meaningful observance of Christmas and New Year, to strengthen their ties with one another, it is fitting to declare December 26, 2008 (Friday) and December 29, 2008 (Monday) as additional special (non-working) days throughout the country;

NOW, THEREFORE, I, GLORIA MACAPAGAL-ARROYO, President of the Republic of the Philippines, by virtue of the powers vested in me by law, do hereby order:

SECTION 1. The following regular holidays and special days for the year 2008 shall be observed in the country:

A. Regular Holidays

Maundy Thursday	-	March 20 (Thursday)
Good Friday	-	March 21 (Friday)
Araw ng Kagitingan	-	April 7 (Monday), Monday nearest April 9
Labor Day	-	May1 (Thursday)
Independence Day	-	June 9 (Monday), Monday nearest June 12
National Heroes Day	-	August 25 (Monday), Last Monday of August
Bonifacio Day	-	December 1 (Monday), Monday nearest November 30
Christmas Day	-	December 25 (Thursday)
Rizal Day	-	December 30 (Tuesday)

B. Special (non-working) Holidays

Ninoy Aquino Day	-	August 18 (Monday), Monday nearest August 21
All Saints Day	-	November 1 (Saturday)
Additional special (non-working) day	-	December 26 (Friday)
Additional special (non-working) day	-	December 29 (Monday)
Last Day of the Year	-	December 31 (Wednesday)

SECTION 2. The Proclamation declaring a national holiday for the observance of Eidul Fitr shall hereafter be issued after the appropriate date of the Islamic holiday has been determined in accordance with the Islamic calendar (Hijra) or the lunar calendar, or upon Islamic astronomical calculations, whichever is possible or convenient. To this end, the Office on Muslim Affairs shall inform the Office of the President on which day the holiday shall fall.

SECTION 3. The Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) shall promulgate the Implementing guidelines for this Proclamation.

SECTION 4. This Proclamation shall take effect immediately.

SECTION 5. This Proclamation shall be published in a newspaper of general circulation.

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 18th day of February, in the Year of Our Lord Two Thousand and Eight.


By the President:

(Sgd.) EDUARDO R. ERMITA
Executive Secretary