Malacañang announced that August 30, Monday, will be a regular holiday in observance of National Heroes Day, paving the way for a three-day weekend at the end of the month.

Presidential Spokesman Edwin Lacierda made the announcement amid the administration's ongoing review of the holiday economics law or Republic Act 9492 implemented by the past government on a case-by-case basis.

"On the question of August 30 if it's a holiday, it is a holiday. It falls on a Monday so it's not going to be moved so you're going to have a long weekend," Lacierda said in a press briefing at the Palace.

Under RA 9492, which rationalized the celebration of national holidays, National Heroes Day, one of the nation’s regular holidays, should be celebrated on the last Monday of August.

The public was recently advised by the Palace to avoid planning their weekend vacations as the government decided to review the upcoming holidays “on a case-to-case basis.” “We will let you know, again, so don’t plan yet,” Lacierda said.

Although the government appears to frown on the holiday economics law, Lacierda said they are not trying to repeal RA 9492, which provides that holidays, except those which are religious in nature, are moved to the nearest Monday unless otherwise modified by law, order or proclamation.

“Let me again state for, that law itself provides for the President to modify or change the holidays. He is empowered to do so, under that law,” he said.

In a bid to improve the nation's productivity, Lacierda said the administration plans to change the practice made by the past administration that moved certain holidays to Monday.

“We are looking at making ourselves more productive. The idea is if the first day of the week is a holiday, it diminishes productivity for the rest of the week,” he said.

The President earlier declared August 21, Saturday, as special non-working holiday to commemorate the death anniversary of his father, the late Senator Benigno Aquino Jr. August 23, Monday, will remain a regular working day.

Based on Proclamation No. 1841 issued last year, then President Arroyo issued the list of regular and special holidays for 2010.

The remaining regular holidays for the year, based on Proclamation 1841, are National Heroes Day on August 30 (Last Monday of August), Bonifacio Day on November 29 (Monday nearest November 30), Christmas Day (December 25), and Rizal Day on December 27 (Monday nearest December 30).

Proclamation 1841 also stated the upcoming special holidays, specifically Ninoy Aquino Day on August 23 (Monday nearest August 21), All Saints Day (November 1) and Last Day of the Year (December 31).