Palace declares May 3 a non-working holiday

(Updated 2:49 PM) Filipinos will enjoy another long weekend in the next few days after Malacañang on Wednesday declared May 3 a non-working holiday to commemorate Labor Day, which falls on May 1, a Saturday. This was reported by QTV’s Balitanghali on Wednesday after Malacañang issued Proclamation No. 2043 on the same day.
Issued by Executive Secretary Leandro Mendoza, the proclamation cited Republic Act 9849, which indicated that holidays — including Labor Day — will be observed on the nearest Monday. The new edict is in line with the government’s thrust of encouraging holiday economics, which provides employees a longer weekend, encouraging them to go out of town and hopefully spur the country’s tourism industry. “(It also) encourages families to get together and strengthen their relationship towards a more productive environment, as well as promotes domestic tourism and enables employers to plan their work schedules effectively and efficiently, resulting in improved productivity which is achieved whether the holiday falls on Friday or Monday," Mendoza said in the issuance. Republic Act 9849 also allows the modification of the Regular Holidays and nationwide Special Days by law, order, or proclamation, including a previous proclamation no. 1841. Under Proclamation No. 1841, which covers holidays for this year, a non-working day is usually moved to the nearest Monday, giving the public a longer weekend. Labor Day used to be exempted from the edict, titled “Declaring the Regular Holidays, Special (Non-Working) Days and Special Holidays (for all Schools) for the Year 2010." It was issued on July 21, 2009. - Sophia Regina M. Dedace, RJAB Jr., GMANews.TV