Republic Act No. 9849, enacted on December 11, 2009, designates the tenth day of Zhul Hijja, the twelfth month of the Islamic calendar, as a national holiday in the Philippines for the observance of Eidul Adha. This holiday commemorates the act of sacrifice by Abraham and emphasizes obedience to God. The law amends the Administrative Code of 1987 to include Eidul Adha among the regular holidays, with provisions for its observance on a Monday if it falls on a Wednesday or Sunday. The Office on Muslim Affairs is tasked with implementing this Act, which takes effect 15 days after publication.
December 11, 2009
REPUBLIC ACT NO. 9849
AN ACT DECLARING THE TENTH DAY OF ZHUL HIJJA, THE TWELFTH MONTH OF THE ISLAMIC CALENDAR, A NATIONAL HOLIDAY FOR THE OBSERVANCE OF EIDUL ADHA, FURTHER AMENDING FOR THE PURPOSE SECTION 26, CHAPTER 7, BOOK I OF EXECUTIVE ORDER NO. 292, OTHERWISE KNOWN AS THE ADMINISTRATIVE CODE OF 1987, AS AMENDED
SECTION 1. The tenth day of Zhul Hijja, the twelfth month of the Islamic Calendar, is hereby declared as a national holiday for the observance of Eidul Adha. Eidul Adha is a tenth day in the month of Hajj or Islamic Pilgrimage to Mecca wherein Muslims pay homage to Abraham's supreme act of sacrifice and signifies mankind's obedience to God. HSCATc
SECTION 2. Section 26, Chapter 7, Book I of Executive Order No. 292, otherwise known as "The Administrative Code of 1987", as amended, is hereby amended to read as follows:
"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
Eidul Adha — Movable Date
Araw ng Kagitingan (Bataan and Corregidor Day) — Monday nearest April 9
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: IcAaEH
"Provided, That for movable holidays, the President shall issue a proclamation, at least six (6) months prior to the holiday concerned, the specific date shall be declared as a nonworking day."
SECTION 3. The implementation of this Act shall be supervised by the Office on Muslim Affairs (OMA) which shall promulgate the rules and regulations pursuant to the provisions of this Act.
SECTION 4. All laws, presidential decrees, executive orders, issuances, rules and regulations and any part thereof regarding national nonworking holidays which are inconsistent with the provisions of this Act are hereby repealed or modified accordingly.
SECTION 5. This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after its complete publication in the Official Gazette or at least two (2) national newspapers of general circulation.
Approved: December 11, 2009