President Rodrigo Duterte on Friday declared June 26 as a regular holiday in observance of the Eid’l Fitr or end of Ramadan.
The declaration was contained under Proclamation No. 235 which stated that “the entire Filipino nation should have the full opportunity to join their Muslim brothers and sisters in peace and harmony in the observance and celebration of Eid’l Fitr.”
“In order to bring the religious and cultural significance of the Eid’l Fitr to the fore of national consciousness, it is necessary to declare Monday, 26 June 2017, as a regular holiday throughout the country,” the proclamation reads.
Ramadan is observed by Muslims worldwide as a month of fasting and is regarded as one of the Five Pillars of Islam.
During the Ramadan, Muslims are required to abstain from eating and drinking between dawn and sunset, as they engage in increased prayer and charity as well as reflection.
These are the days listed by Malacañang as holidays for 2017 as of June 16. 2017:
REGULAR HOLIDAYS
January 1, 2017, Sunday – New Year’s Day
April 9, 2017, Sunday – Araw ng Kagitingan
April 13, 2017 – Maundy Thursday
April 14, 2017 – Good Friday
May 1, 2017, Monday – Labor Day
June 12, 2017, Monday – Independence Day
June 26, 2017, Monday – Eid’l Fitr
August 28, 2017, last Monday of August – National Heroes’ Day
November 30, 2017, Thursday – Bonifacio Day
December 25, 2017, Monday – Christmas Day
December 30, 2017, Saturday – Rizal Day
SPECIAL (non-working) HOLIDAYS
January 2, 2017, Monday – based on Proclamation No. 117
January 28, 2017, Saturday – Chinese New Year
February 25, 2017, Saturday – EDSA Revolution Anniversary
April 15, 2017 – Black Saturday
August 21, 2017, Monday – Ninoy Aquino Day
October 31, 2017, Tuesday – additional special (non-working) day
November 1, 2017, Wednesday – All Saints’ Day
December 31, 2017, Sunday – last day of the year
(with a report from Cielito M. Reganit/PNA)