Islamic ‘Eidul Adha’ now a national holiday in Manila

MANILA – The Islamic holiday of “Eidul Adha” is now a national and regular holiday in the Philippines under a new law signed by President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo, according to a Malacanang spokesman.

The spokesman said the inclusion of Eidul Adha indicates the government’s recognition of the significance of the date for the members of the Islamic faith, especially those living in Mindanao.

Eidul Adha is celebrated on the 10th day of “Zhul Hija,” the 12th month of the Islamic calendar as the new law points out:

“It is the 10th day in the month of Haji or Islamic pilgrimage to Mecca wherein Muslims pay homage to Abraham’s supreme act of sacrifice and signifies mankind’s obedience to God.”

According to the spokesman, the new law amended the Administrative Code of 1987 to include Eidul Adha among the regular and national holidays in the country.

He said the implementation of Eidul Adha will be supervised by the Office on Muslim Affairs, which will promulgate the rules and regulations in accordance with the provisions of the new law.

As such, the spokesman said it now joins New Year’s Day, Maundy Thursday, Good Friday, Eidul Fitr, “Araw ng Kagintingan” (Day of Valor), Labor Day, Independence Day, National Heroes Day, Christmas Day, Bonifacio Day and Rizal Day.

Maundy Thursday and Good Friday are solemn occasions observed by the faithful as part of the Holy Week calendar of the Roman Catholic Church to mark the Passion and Death of Jesus Christ.

On the other hand, Day of Valor is commemorated to mark the gallant stand of the Filipino and American soldiers during the Japanese invasion of the Philippines in World War 11.

The spokesman added the nationwide special holiday will remain the same as follows: Ninoy Aquino Day, All Saints Day and New Year’s Eve.

Under the implementing rules, if a 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 is authorized to issue a proclamation at least six months before the holiday concerned.

The spokesman explained the rules were promulgated to minimize the possibility of the country having a long weekend of as many as four days if a holiday falls say, on a Thursday.

Businessmen, particularly those engaged in call center operations, have complained that long weekends mean extra expenses for them because they have to shoulder the overtime pay of those working in these long weekends.

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