Public holidays in the Philippines are of two types: regular holidays and special non-working days.
History On July 25, 1987, President Corazon Aquino promulgated Executive Order No. 292 ("Administrative Code of 1987.") Chapter 7 of this code specifies a list of ten nationwide regular holidays and two nationwide special days and provided that the President may proclaim any local special day for a particular date, group or place. Seven regular holidays were specified with fixed dates, two with movable dates, and one assigned to the last Sunday in August. The code did not specify how the movable dates were to be determined.
In 2001, President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo decided to include Holiday Economics as part of the then-new government's list of principal economic policies, moving the celebration dates for holidays occurring on midweek days to weekend days. This was codified by Republic Act. No. 9492, approved on July 25, 2007, which replaced the list of holidays and special days. This act had been specified by the Administrative Code with a new list of eleven national holidays and three nationwide special days. The act also provided that Eidul Adha shall be celebrated as a holiday only in the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao. The act specified two of the holidays and one special day with fixed dates, five of the holidays and two special days as occurring on a Monday nearest to or preceding specified dates, and two of the holidays as having movable dates. The act mandated that the President shall issue a proclamation for specifying the specific date movable holidays at least six months prior to the holiday concerned. The act also specified that holidays falling on a Wednesday will be observed on the Monday of that week, that holidays falling on a Sunday will be observed on the Monday that follows, and provided that regular holidays and special days may be modified by order or proclamation.
Presidential Proclamations issued subsequent to the promulgation of Republic Act No. 9492 established celebration dates for national holidays and special days, and established new holidays and special days, some nationwide and some local to specified localities.
Holiday types
The Labor Code of the Philippines specifies two types of holidays: the "regular holiday" and the "special non-working day". There is a difference in the pay that employers are required to pay between the two type of holidays. There is also a difference in what is closed and in how the days are declared.
Type Pay if... Did not work (including rest days) Did work Regular100% of daily wage200% of daily wage Special (Non-working)No pay130% of daily wage
On top of these pay rules, an employee shall be given an additional 30% if the holiday falls on their rest day, and an additional 30% if they work overtime.
On a regular holiday, if the employee did not work, they are entitled 100% of their daily wage. However, a special non-working day usually follows a 'No Work, No Pay' principle. Therefore, the employee is not entitled to any compensation if they did not work that day. If the employee works on the special non-working day, they shall be entitled to an additional compensation of 30% of the regular daily wage.
Former holidays Independence Day was formerly celebrated on July 4, the date of the Philippine independence from the United States in 1946 deliberately selected as it is also American Independence Day. On May 12, 1962, President Diosdado Macapagal issued Presidential Proclamation No. 28, which declared Tuesday, June 12 a special public holiday throughout the Philippines, "... in commemoration of our people's declaration of their inherent and inalienable right to freedom and independence." On August 4, 1964, Republic Act No. 4166 renamed the July 4 holiday as "Philippine Republic Day", proclaimed June 12 as "Philippine Independence Day", and enjoined all citizens of the Philippines to observe the latter with befitting rites.
In 1955, President Ramón Magsaysay issued Presidential Proclamation No. 212, s. 1955, which established the observance of Philippine–American Day every November 15, the anniversary of the 1935 inauguration of the Commonwealth of the Philippines. Sometime under President Ferdinand Marcos, Philippine–American Day was renamed "Philippine–American Friendship Day" and moved to July 4, overshadowing the observance of the date as Republic Day. After the Third Republic and the abolition of the 1935 Constitution under Martial Law, it was impolitic to remind the nation of the old republic. This is why, when President Marcos issued Presidential Proclamation No. 2346 s. 1984, reference was made to Philippine–American Friendship Day, which was relegated to a working holiday without mention of Republic Day.
During the administration of President Corazon C. Aquino, the practice of celebrating July 4 as both Philippine–American Friendship Day and Republic Day as a non-working holiday was formally abolished. Section 26 of the Administrative Code of 1987 specified a list of regular holidays and nationwide special days that did not include July 4.
Nationwide observance Originally, there were only regular and special holidays. On February 26, 2021, former President Rodrigo Duterte announced the certain special holidays as special working holidays in 2021 under Proclamation No. 1107. This new measure is intended to boost productivity and economic recovery in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic.
On October 13, 2023, President Bongbong Marcos announced that February 25 will no longer be a holiday in 2024 under Proclamation No. 368. Malacañang Palace stated that the event has "minimum socioeconomic impact" as it falls on a Sunday.
Non-working holidays
+Regular non-working holidays Date English name Filipino name Transferability Type Description Law January 1 New Year's Day FixedRegular Celebrates the first day of the year in Gregorian calendar. Act No. 345 February 17 (2026) Chinese New Year MovableAdditional specialAlso known as the Spring Festival or Lunar New Year.None April 2 (2026) Maundy Thursday MovableRegular Part of the Triduum of Holy Week and includes the Mass of the Lord's Supper (the Last Supper).Act No. 345 April 3 (2026) Good Friday MovableRegular Part of the Triduum of Holy Week. Commemorates the suffering, crucifixion and death of Jesus Christ. Processions, passion plays, the recitation of the Pasyon, Siete Palabras, and various religious services are among the customs practiced on this day.Act No. 345 April 4 (2026)Black Saturday MovableAdditional specialPart of the Easter Triduum and Holy Week. Commemorates Christ's Descent into Hell as his body lay in the Holy Sepulchre. Easter Vigil masses are held during this day at evening.None April 9 Day of Valor FixedRegular Commemorates the Fall of Bataan during the Japanese invasion of the Philippines, and by extension, the courage of Filipino and American soldiers throughout the Second World War. Defacto, this day also signals the traditional conclusion of the academic year for basic educational institutions in the country.R.A. No. 3022 May 1 Labor Day / FixedRegular Anniversary of the May 1, 1903 rally by the Unión Obrera Democrática Filipina. Held in conjunction with the International Workers' Day.Act No. 2711 June 12 Independence Day / FixedRegular Anniversary of the proclamation of the Philippine Declaration of Independence on June 12, 1898. From 1947 to 1964, Independence Day was celebrated on July 4 (see below). Traditionally, until 2019 and since 2025, it marked the start of the school year and formerly the university academic year (until the move to August in 2015–17). The holiday marked the end of the school year for students of basic academic institutions from 2020 to 2024 and today serves as the end of the university and college academic year.R.A. No. 4166 August 21 Ninoy Aquino Day FixedSpecialAnniversary of Assassination of Benigno Aquino, Jr. in 1983. Public acts of remembrance are held to honor the memory of one of the nation's democracy fighters and de facto leader of the opposition for much of the 70s. Since 2016 it has been either the last holiday before most higher educational institutions (e.g. universities) begin their academic year or marks as the beginning of their academic semesters.R.A. No. 9256Moved to August 23 in 2024, by virtue of Proclamation No. 665, series of 2024. August 25 (2025) National Heroes Day MovableRegular Anniversary of the 1896 Cry of Pugad Lawin by the Katipunan which began the Philippine Revolution and commemorates all the nation's heroes. Held on the last Monday of August. Marked as the final holiday before the beginning of the primary and secondary school academic year from 2021 to 2023.Act No. 3827 November 1All Saints' Day ; ; FixedSpecialFilipinos observe this day by visiting family graves, repairing and cleaning tombs, and offering prayers, flowers, food, and candles. Many return to their native provinces for this, making it an occasion for reunions with extended family.E.O. No. 292 November 2All Souls Day FixedAdditional special (special non-working until 2020, special working holiday in 2021 and 2022)Traditions held on this day are similar to those of All Saints' Day.None November 30 Bonifacio Day FixedRegular Birth anniversary of Andrés Bonifacio, de facto national hero. Bonifacio is remembered on his birthday, rather than the date of his death (May 10, 1897), because he was executed by the Filipino revolutionary government and not by colonial powers. Often confused with National Heroes' Day.Act No. 2946 December 8 Feast of the Immaculate Conception of the Blessed Virgin Mary FixedSpecialCatholic solemnity marking the pure and sinless conception of the Blessed Virgin Mary, honored as Principal Patroness of the Philippines since 1942.R.A. No. 10966 December 24 Christmas Eve FixedAdditional special (special non-working holiday until 2020, special working holiday in 2021 and 2022)Marks the night preceding Christmas. Filipinos generally hold the Nochebuena meal at midnight.None December 25 Christmas Day Fixed Regular Birth anniversary of Jesus Christ, main figure of Christianity.Act No. 345 December 30 Rizal Day FixedRegular Death anniversary of the Execution of José Rizal, considered by mainstream Filipinos as the de facto national hero.Act No. 345Republic Act No. 229 December 31 New Year's Eve (Last Day of the Year/Eve of the new Year)FixedSpecial (special working holiday in 2021 and 2022)This holiday, which marks the conclusion of the civil year, is between two regular holidays, Rizal Day, and New Year's Day. This holiday is a special non-working day every December 31.E.O. No. 292Shawwal 1 Eid'l Fitr / Fixed Regular The Islamic celebration marking the official end to the fasting month of Ramadan, the ninth month of the Islamic Calendar.R.A. No. 9177 Dhu al-Hijjah 10 Eid'l Adha / FixedRegular Feast ending the Hajj when Muslims sacrifice a goat, sheep, cow or a camel to be sent to the poor as a donation. The hajj is when Muslims go on required pilgrimage to Mecca.R.A. No. 9849
Working holidays