It seems many are planning their 2008 vacations way ahead of schedule. This early (this article was originally posted in November 2007), there are hits to this site searching for 2008 national holidays (see also 2007 holidays; 2009 holidays)  in the Philippines. Providing a fixed list of holiday dates is difficult because most of the 2008 regular holidays and nationwide special holidays are movable, as provided under Republic Act 9492 (an Act rationalizing the celebration of national holidays). For these movable holidays, the President is tasked by law to issue a Proclamation, at least 6 months prior to a movable holiday, fixing the specific date of that non-working day (if you're looking for the guidelines on the computation of holiday pay or premium, go here). Here's the list of Philippine holidays under RA 9492, unless the Proclamation is indicated:

The Eidul Adha shall be celebrated as a regional holiday in the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (ARMM). (Notes: Malacanang already issued Proclamation 1463 [full text here], fixing the holidays for 2008. Those with asterisks [*] are fixed/final dates; those with [**] are not Mondays, as fixed in  Proclamation 1463 contrary to the provision of RA 9442 that it should be in the nearest Monday; the date with [***] is a non-working holiday added by Proclamation 1463.) Enjoy the long weekends, everyone!

Posted by Braden, on 21-01-2009, Hi..I just wanna ask why is that I am not entitled for Holiday Pay?    I am probationary employee.,I took a leave last Dec 22 until January 5, 2009. Given the fact that I didn't report on the 24th and 5th of January., which is before and after the long holiday vacation.    Should I not be entitled for the holiday pay even for the official holidays only like Dec 25 and January 1.,? or/and special non-working holiday like Dec 24 and Dec. 31? Thnx...   Posted by Fred, on 09-01-2009, Nelson, you're welcome. Maybe you missed the updated post on 2009 holidays (click here) or click this link:  http://pinoy-business.com/ content/view/775/90/   Posted by Nelson, on 09-01-2009, Thanks for your services. One question:  Do you have a listing of all the non-working holidays for the year 2009? The one Malacanang Palace just announced 2 days ago.   Posted by Fred, on 06-01-2009, Sorry to hear about that, Paul. The ideal situation, as provided by law, is for the Proclamation to be issued at least 6 months from the covered movable holiday. Of course, that's specifically for movable holidays provided by law, but strict interpretation aside, everyone (especially employers) should have reasonable notice way in advance.   Posted by Paul, on 03-01-2009, I from UK & run 2 firms here. We were planning meetings & client tasks for 2nd Jan 2009 & after Christmas staff were confused if this date was a holiday or not.    How can a country be efficient if the public holidays are so unknown in advance.     I am all for public holidays but what is the reason for 2nd Jan 2009 and whatever the reason is (i cannot think why it would be a holiday) why can these decisions not be made years in advance? Most other countries manage to. Come on Philippines sort this mess out!   Posted by Fred, on 20-12-2008, Reynaldo, seems like you have a lot on your plate. Perhaps we can address your concerns in future related posts (please see our limitations). At this time and in general, let's just say that daily-paid workers are usually covered by the no-pay, no-work rule. The wage/salary of monthly-paid workers are generally deemed to include holidays.    While we're at it, perhaps it would be interesting to have a poll (click here) whether January 2, 2009 should be declared as a holiday.   Posted by Reynaldo Flores, on 19-12-2008, Is the company required to pay the monthly based employees even they did not worked on special day and/or special holiday? Kindly provide us the regulation.    2.On daily wage earners who did not work on special days and/or special holidays, are they covered the no work no pay rule?    3. Who are covered by the No Work No Pay rule?     4.Are the monthly base employees and daily rate earners are covered by this No Work No Pay Rule? What are the conditions?   Posted by chellsea, on 16-12-2008, kawawa naman ang mga daily rate sa dami ng deklaradong special holiday ng Pilipinas, FYI, ang mga daily rate ay no work no pay kapag special holiday...marami na ang nagagalit sa mahabang bakasyon na dapat sana ay kumikita ng mga empleyado sa private sector na daily rate   Posted by jasmin d, on 04-12-2008, i heard wla daw pasok (school) on 12/5 & 12/8. how true?   Posted by xmastree12345, on 21-11-2008, what, if we have office during saturdays, is december 27 consider non-working holiday.   sana next time, include naman saturdays na kasama sa mga i-declare na non working holidays.