President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. declared Feb. 9 as a special non-working day nationwide in celebration of the Chinese New Year (CNY), Malacañang announced on Friday, Jan. 19.
Proclamation No. 453, which the President signed with Executive Secretary Lucas Bersamin on Thursday, Jan. 18, would allow the public to celebrate and avail the benefits of a long weekend.
“The declaration of 09 February 2024, Friday, as an additional special non-working day throughout the country will give the people the full opportunity to celebrate the Chinese New Year and enable our countrymen to avail of the benefits of a longer weekend,” the proclamation stated.
The proclamation also tasks the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) to release the necessary circular for its implementation in the private sector.
Proclamation No. 368, dated Oct. 11, 2023, had previously set Feb. 10, 2024, as a special non-working day nationwide to honor the Chinese New Year, which falls on a Saturday.
CNY is the festival that celebrates the start of a new year on the traditional lunisolar Chinese calendar.