IT’S OFFICIAL: Every December 8 of the Year is a Special Non-Working Holiday
DECEMBER 8 NON-WORKING HOLIDAY – Every December 8 of the year is officially a non-working holiday in the Philippines.
The Philippines is one of the Christian countries in the world. A huge part of its populace belongs to Catholic devotees who venerate God the Father, God the Son, the Holy Spirit, and the Blessed Mother Mary.
Lots of Filipinos are really participative to Church activities and events just like the Feast of the Immaculate Conception of Mary which is held every December 8.
The Immaculate Conception of Mary is the country’s principal patroness. During the 8th day of December, many people go to church to attend mass, light candles, and offer prayers and thanksgiving to the Immaculate Conception.
In 2017, President Rodrigo Roa Duterte has declared December 8 as a special non-working holiday in the entire Philippines.
The President signed the Republic Act No. 10966 based on a post on National Wages and Productivity Commission‘s Facebook page.
The said declares December 8 as a special non-working holiday in the country for the commemoration of the Immaculate Conception of Mary. Filipinos are given the time to spend on their religious and spiritual activities.
The Republic Act No. 10966 was authored by majority leader Rodolfo Fariñas, an Ilocos Norte representative. He is one of the allies of Pres. Duterte in the political arena.
Fariñas cited Guam and Malta as places where people also take a holiday every 8th day of December in observance of the Catholic feast.
The law declaring December 8 as a special non-working holiday passed the House of Representatives on May 2, 2017. Around seven (7) months after, on December 11, 2017, the then-bill passed the House of Senate.
The bill was signed by Pres. Rodrigo Roa Duterte into a law on December 28, 2017. It would be first observed this year 2018.
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