Lists of Public Holidays in the Philippines (Regular and Special Non-Working Holidays)

Philippine is known for different events and festivities in the country. Because of that, we have a lot of holidays.

In this article, we list all the holidays including the regular and special ones.

FUN FACTS

Public holidays in the Philippines are of two types, regular holidays and special non-working days. These holidays suspends all the classes nationwide and government work during regular holidays.

On the other side, it's an automatic multiplication of compensation for all laborers and workers in the country. Some other companies choose to suspend the job during these holidays.

HISTORY

On July 25, 1987, President Corazon Aquino promulgated the Administrative Code of the Philippines. Chapter 7 of this code specified a list of ten nationwide regular holidays and two nationwide special days and provided that the President may proclaim any local special day for a particular date, group or place. Seven of the regular holidays were specified with fixed dates, two with movable dates, and one was specified to fall on the last Sunday in August. The code did not specify how the movable dates were to be determined

In 2001, President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo decided to include holiday manipulation, also known as Holiday Economics as part of the then-new government's list of principal economic policies, moving the celebration dates for holidays occurring on midweek days to weekend days.

This was codified by Republic Act. No. 9492, approved on July 25, 2007, which replaced the list of holidays and special days. This act had been specified by the Administrative Code with a new list of eleven national holidays and three nationwide special days. The act also provided that Eidul Adha shall be celebrated as a regional holiday in the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao.

The act specified two of the holidays and one special day with fixed dates, five of the holidays and two special days as occurring on a Monday nearest to or preceding specified dates, and two of the holidays as having movable dates. The act mandated that the President shall issue a proclamation for specifying the specific date movable holidays at least six months prior to the holiday concerned.

The act specified that holidays falling on a Wednesday will be observed on the Monday of that week, that holidays falling on a Sunday will be observed on the Monday that follows, and provided that regular holidays and special days may be modified by order or proclamation.

Presidential Proclamations issued subsequent to the promulgation of Republic Act No. 9492 established celebration dates for national holidays and special days, and established new holidays and special days, some nationwide and some local to specified localities.

TYPES OF HOLIDAY

The Labor Code of the Philippines specifies two types of holidays: the "regular holiday" and the "special non-working day". There is a difference in the pay that employers are required to pay between the two type of holidays. There is also a difference in what is closed and in how the days are declared.

Type	Pay if...
Type	Did not work (including rest days)	Did work
Regular holiday	100% of daily wage	200% of daily wage
Special non-working day	not paid	130% of daily wage

On top of these pay rules, an employee shall be given an additional 30% if the holiday falls on his or her rest day, and an additional 30% if the employee works overtime.

On a regular holiday, if the employee did not work, the employee is entitled 100% of his daily wage. However, special non-working day usually follows a 'No Work, No Pay' principle. Therefore, the employee is not entitled to any compensation if he did not work that day. If the employee works on the special non-working day, the employee shall be entitled to an additional compensation of 30% of the regular daily wage.

"Working holidays" do not have give increased compensation to employees.

REGULAR HOLIDAYS IN THE PHILIPPINES

These are the regular Philippine holidays observed nationwide:

New Year's Day - January 1
Maundy Thursday - Movable Date
Good Friday - Movable Date
Araw ng Kagitingan - April 9
Labor Day - May 1
Independence Day - June 12
National Heroes Day - Last Sunday of August
Bonifacio Day - November 30
Eid'l Fitr - Movable Date
Eid'l Adha - Movable Date
Christmas Day - December 25
Rizal Day - December 30

SPECIAL HOLIDAYS IN THE PHILIPPINES

These are the special (non-working) Philippine holidays observed nationwide:

Chinese New Year - Movable Date
EDSA Revolution Anniversary - February 25
Black Saturday - Movable Date
Ninoy Aquino Day - August 21
All Saints' Day - November 21
Feast of the Immaculate Conception of the Blessed Virgin Mary - December 8

New Year's Day

This is a fixed regular holiday in the Philippines where Filipinos celebrate and welcome the first day of the year in Gregorian calendar, January 1.

Chinese New Year

Also known as the Spring Festival or Lunar New Year, is a special holiday celebrated in the Philippines.

EDSA Revolution Anniversary

Celebrated on February 25, this special non-working holiday is an anniversary of the end of the 1986 People Power Revolution.

Maundy Thursday

A movable date regular holiday where Filipinos observe the part of the Triduum of Holy Week and includes the Mass of the Lord's Supper (the Last Supper).

Good Friday

Filipinos commemorates the suffering, crucifixion and death of Jesus Christ. Processions, passion plays, the recitation of the Pasyon, and various religious services are among the customs practiced on this day. Like Maundy Thursday, it is a regular holiday with movable date.

Black Saturday

Part of the Easter Triduum and Holy Week. Commemorates Christ's Descent into Hell as his body lay in the Holy Sepulchre. It is a special non-working holiday with movable date.

Day of Valor

On this day, we commemorates the Fall of Bataan during the Japanese invasion of the Philippines, and by extension, the courage of Filipino and American soldiers throughout the Second World War. It is a regular holiday on April 9.

Labor Day

Observed as regular holiday, Labor Day is the anniversary of the May 1, 1903 rally by the Unión Obrera Democrática Filipina. Held in conjunction with the International Workers' Day.

Eid'l Fitr

It's a regular holiday with movable date that celebrates the Feast at the end of Ramadan.

Independence Day

Observed as regular holiday, this is the anniversary of the proclamation of the Philippine Declaration of Independence on June 12, 1898. From 1947 to 1964, Independence Day was celebrated on July 4 (see below).

Eid'l Adha

Feast at the end of the Hajj when Muslims sacrifice a goat, sheep, cow or a camel to be sent to the poor as a donation. The Hajj is when Muslims go on required pilgrimage to Mecca. It's a regular holiday with movable date.

Ninoy Aquino Day

On August 21, Filipinos observed the special non-working holiday for the anniversary of Assassination of Benigno Aquino, Jr. in 1983.

National Heroes' Day

Anniversary of the 1896 Cry of Pugad Lawin by the Katipunan which began the Philippine Revolution and commemorates all the nation's heroes. Held every last Monday of August. Usually, it's the last holiday before the long celebration of the Christmas season which begins on September 1, and since 2020, the last holiday before most educational institutions begin their academic year.

All Saints' Day

Filipinos observe this day by visiting family graves, repairing and cleaning tombs, and offering prayers, flowers, food, and candles. Many return to their native provinces for this, making it an occasion for reunions with extended family. It is a special non-working holiday observed on November 1.

All Souls Day

All Souls' Day, also known as the Commemoration of All the Faithful Departed and the Day of the Dead, is a day of prayer and remembrance for the faithful departed, which is observed by Roman Catholics and other Christian denominations annually on 2 November. It is a special working holiday in the Philippines.

Bonifacio Day

November 30 is the birth anniversary of Andrés Bonifacio, de facto national hero. Bonifacio is remembered on his birthday, rather than the date of his death (May 10, 1897), because he was executed by the Filipino revolutionary government and not by colonial powers. Often confused with National Heroes' Day. It is observed as a regular holiday in the Philippines.

Feast of the Immaculate Conception of the Blessed Virgin Mary

Catholic solemnity marking the pure and sinless conception of the Blessed Virgin Mary, honored as mother and Principal Patroness of the Philippines since 1942. It is observed as a special holiday on December 8.

Christmas Eve

A Special working holiday on December 24 which marks the eve of Christmas. Filipinos generally hold the Nochebuena meal at midnight.

Christmas Day

Observed as a regular holiday in the Philippines, on December 25 is celebrated the birth anniversary of Jesus Christ.

Rizal Day

A regular holiday on December 30 where we observe the death anniversary of the Execution of Jose Rizal, considered by mainstream Filipinos as the de facto national hero.

New Year's Eve

This special working holiday, which marks the conclusion of the civil year, is between two regular holidays, Rizal Day, and New Year's Day. This holiday is a special non-working day every December 31.

To get the exact days of the holidays in the Philippines, please visit Philippine government's official website.

WHERE TO GO?

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

How many Philippine holidays are there?
The Philippines celebrate 18 national holidays each year. Of these 18 national holidays, 4 of these holidays are considered “special non-working” days. Under the Labour Code of the Philippines, all employees are entitled to receive a paid day off for the 14 national holidays.
What is the biggest holiday in the Philippines?
Christmas in the Philippines (Filipino: Pasko sa Pilipinas) is one of the biggest holidays in the country.
What is the Philippines favorite holiday?
Independence Day marked the Philippines' independence from Spanish rule on June 12, 1898. This is held to commemorate the life and death of Senator Benigno “Ninoy” Aquino Jr., one of the most significant Filipinos.
What are common among Philippine festivals?
Most fiestas are celebrated among patron saints and or the major events in the life of Jesus Christ and His Mother. Examples are Christmas, Quiapo Fiesta, Ati-atihan, Holy Week, Santacruzan, Peñafrancia Fluvial Festival, Antipolo Pilgrimage, Obando Fertility Rites and Carabao Festival.

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Are we missing a holiday in the list? Share it with us below.

IMPORTANT NOTE: The rates, contact details and other information indicated in this post are accurate from the time of writing but may change without IMFWJ's notice. Should you know the updated information, please let us know by leaving a message in the comment box below.

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