Senate to Propose Reducing the Number of Holidays in the Philippines
The Philippine Senate is considering a proposal to reduce or limit the number of holidays observed in the country.
Senate President Chiz Escudero revealed that this idea has gained traction among senators. They believe that the current abundance of holidays, which sometimes extends for over a month, affects the competitiveness of Filipino businesses and workers.
Escudero pointed out that in the Philippines, there are holidays at various levels: city, municipal, provincial, national, and religious. For instance, cities and provinces have their own holidays, alongside national and religious observances. This can result in a complex and lengthy holiday schedule.
He suggested looking at how other countries manage their holidays. As an example, Escudero mentioned the United States’ Presidents’ Day. In the U.S., this holiday combines the celebrations of several notable presidents into one day, streamlining their holiday calendar.
In the Philippines, however, there are multiple holidays like Araw ng Kagitingan (Day of Valor), National Heroes Day, and even holidays for individual heroes. According to Escudero, this practice can lead to an overload of holidays, with each hero or event getting its own day.
To address this, the proposal is to consolidate many of these holidays into fewer, more significant dates. This approach aims to simplify the holiday calendar, making it more manageable while still honoring important events and individuals.
The goal is to ensure that the holiday schedule is practical and does not hinder the productivity and competitiveness of Filipino workers and businesses.