HOLIDAYS are something that Filipino workers look forward to every month because these give them time to pause from the daily grind.
But what if these much-anticipated holidays become more limited? This is what the Senate is suggesting to happen.
In a press briefing, Senate President Francis “Chiz” Escudero said that the upper house is looking into a proposal that will limit the number of holidays in the Philippines which can take up more than a month, making the companies and workers “less competitive.”
“May holiday yung siyudad, may holiday yung munisipyo, may holiday yung probinsya. May national holiday, may religious holiday, ‘di ba? Which makes us less competitive,” said Escudero.
He mentioned Presidents’ Day in the United States, which commemorates the birthdays of U.S. Presidents George Washington and Abraham Lincoln. It is also the day when many celebrate the achievements of U.S. presidents.
But this is different in the country where there are separate holidays dedicated to notable Filipinos like the Araw ng Kagitingan (Day of Valor), National Heroes Day, and the commemorations of the heroes’ deaths.
Escudero said he tasked the Senate to study the possibility of combining such commemorations into one holiday, but he expected this move would draw mixed reactions.
“Ang problema lang, away ‘yan eh,” he said.
Escudero said this does not need to be enforced immediately to give time to lawmakers to study and decide on the proposal.
“Simulan lang natin yung proseso, hayaan mong mag-percolate siya, mapagpasyahan, because I tell you it’s making the Filipino workers less competitive,” the senate president stressed.
He continued, “Our competitors from other countries aren’t requiring these companies to pay double dahil nagkataon lamang na holiday at wala namang kinalaman sa bansang pinagtatrabahuan nila, lalo na sa call center.”
Netizens oppose
Some netizens, however, are not happy with Escudero’s proposal, stressing that holidays are the only time “overworked” and “underpaid” workers could rest more from their everyday grind aside from day offs and other company benefits.
Others mentioned that some Filipinos still go to work during holidays to earn more. They wanted the government to instead focus on improving the public transportation and traffic situation as well as raising the minimum wage in the country.
Another netizen also recommended the senate president study the working conditions of the country’s labor force before pushing for his proposal.
The Trade Union Congress of the Philippines (TUCP) is also against Escudero’s proposal, stressing that holidays could help workers achieve work-life balance.
“Ang problema jan, lahat ata ng benepisyo ng manggagawa ngayon gustong bawasan o gustong mawala. Hindi naman pupwede ‘yon,” TUCP secretary general Arnel Dolendo said in an interview with Teleradyo Serbisyo.
Dolendo suggested the government invest in Filipino workers if they feel like their productivity is being affected.
“Ang problema nga sa mga mambabatas natin ngayon, gusto nilang bawasan yung benepisyo ng mga manggagawa, sa halip na bigyan ng magandang benepisyo katulad ng ang sahod nga natin mababa, ‘di ba? Ang mga manggagawa ngayon hanggang Linggo nagtatrabaho para lang maitawaid yung araw-araw na pangangailangan, nagtatrabaho ng higit walong oras,” he explained.
He added, “Babawasan mo pa yung holiday kung saan pwedeng magpahinga ang manggagawa na bayad siya. Talagang sobrang pahirap na ‘yan eh.”
2024 holidays
Under Proclamation No. 368, the Philippines shall observe 10 regular holidays in 2024:
- New Year’s Day – January 1
- Maundy Thursday – March 28
- Good Friday – March 29
- Araw ng Kagitingan – April 9
- Labor Day – May 1
- Independence Day – June 12
- National Heroes Day – August 26
- Bonifacio Day – November 30
- Christmas Day – December 25
- Rizal Day – December 30
Meanwhile, there are four special non-working days:
- Ninoy Aquino Day – August 21
- All Saints’ Day – November 1
- Feast of the Immaculate Conception of Mary – December 8
- Last Day of the Year – December 31
Additional special non-working days include:
- Chinese New Year – February 10
- Black Saturday – March 30
- All Souls’ Day – November 2
- Christmas Eve – December 24
Meanwhile, national holidays for the observance of Eidul Fitr and Eidul Adha were issued after the approximate dates of the Islamic holidays had been determined based on the Islamic calendar.
