MANILA, Philippines — Malacañang Saturday declared August 30, the end of Ramadan or Eid’l Fitr, a holiday. But August 1, the start of Ramadan, is not a holiday.

Deputy presidential spokesperson Abigail Valte said that while the Palace will not declare August 1 a holiday, she said there will be a long weekend in the last week of August because of the holidays on August 29 (National Heroes’ Day) and August 30 (Eid’l Fitr).

“August 1 ay hindi holiday, yun ang start ng Ramadan. Ang magiging holiday, August 30, yung end ng Ramadan [August 1, the start of Ramadan, is not a holiday. The holiday will be on Aug.30, which is the end of Ramadan],” Valte said.

Thus, those who have no work on Saturdays will have a four-day weekend in the last week of August, while those who have work on Saturdays will have a three-day long weekend on the said week.

Last December, President Aquino issued Proclamation No. 84 foregoing the so-called “holiday economics” law of the Arroyo administration.

Under the proclamation, national holidays for the end of Ramadan or the Eid’l Fitr and Eid’l Adha are issued after the approximate dates of the Islamic holidays have been determined in accordance with the Islamic calendar (Hijra) or the lunar calendar, or upon Islamic astronomical calculations, whichever is possible or convenient. This year, the end of Ramadan is slated on Aug. 30.

Based on Proclamation No. 84, regular holidays include: New Year’s Day – January 1 (Saturday); Araw ng Kagitingan – April 9 (Saturday); Maundy Thursday – April 21; Good Friday – April 22; Labor Day – May 1 (Sunday); Independence Day – June 12 (Sunday); National Heroes Day – August 29 (Last Monday of August); Bonifacio Day – November 30 (Wednesday); Christmas Day – December 25 (Sunday); Rizal Day – December 30 (Friday).
Special Non-Working Days are Ninoy Aquino Day – August 21 (Sunday); All Saints’ Day – November 1 (Tuesday); Last Day of the Year – December 31 (Saturday); and Special Holiday (for all schools) – the EDSA Revolution Anniversary – February 25 (Friday).