Amendment to E.O. No. 292 (Administrative Code of 1987), Rationalizing the Celebration of National Holidays

Republic Act No. 9492Statutes

Republic Act No. 9492, enacted on July 24, 2007, amends the Administrative Code of 1987 to rationalize the celebration of national holidays in the Philippines. It specifies a list of regular holidays and nationwide special days, such as New Year's Day, Independence Day, and Christmas Day, while allowing for adjustments if holidays fall on certain weekdays. The law mandates that movable holidays be proclaimed by the President at least six months in advance. Additionally, it establishes that Eidul Adha will be recognized as a regional holiday in the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao. The act took effect 15 days after its publication.

July 24, 2007

REPUBLIC ACT NO. 9492

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

SECTION 1. Section 26, Chapter 7, Book 1 of Executive Order No. 292, as amended, otherwise known as the Administrative Code of 1987, is hereby amended to read as follows: HDATCc

"SEC. 26. Regular Holidays and Nationwide Special Days.— (1) Unless otherwise modified by law, order or proclamation, the following regular holidays and special days shall be observed in the country:

a) Regular Holidays

New Year's Day January 1
Maundy Thursday Movable Date
Good Friday Movable Date
Eidul Fitr Movable Date
Araw ng Kagitingan Monday nearest April 9
(Bataan and Corregidor Day)    
Labor Day Monday nearest May 1
Independence Day Monday nearest June 12
National Heroes Day Last Monday of August
Bonifacio Day Monday nearest 
    November 30
Christmas Day December 25
Rizal Day Monday nearest
    December 30

b) Nationwide Special Holidays

Ninoy Aquino Day Monday nearest August 21
All Saints Day November 1
Last Day of the Year December 31

c) In the event the holiday falls on a Wednesday, the holiday will be observed on the Monday of that week. If the holiday falls on a Sunday, the holiday will be observed on the Monday that follows:

Provided,That for movable holidays, the President shall issue a proclamation, at least six months prior to the holiday concerned, the specific date that shall be declared as a nonworking day: CHTAIc

Provided, however,That Eidul Adha shall be celebrated as a regional holiday in the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao."

SECTION 2. All laws, orders presidential issuances, rules and regulations or part thereof inconsistent with this Act are hereby repealed or modified accordingly.

SECTION 3. This Act shall take effect after fifteen (15) days following its publication in at least two newspapers of general circulation.

Approved: July 24, 2007.