Update: Malacanang backtracks and now says Eid'l Adha is a regional holiday, not a national holiday. Read full update here.

Previous post: The month of November 2009 contains 3 national holidays, with 2 long weekends. The first long weekend is All Saints’ Day in November 1 and the additional special non-working holiday in November 2 declared by the President under Proclamation 1699. That’s from October 31 to November 2 (Saturday to Monday). The second long weekend is from November 27 to November 30 (Friday to Monday), with the Eid’l Adha and the Bonifacio Day lumped together.

Proclamation No. 1808, the Presidential issuance covering Eid’l Adha, simply states that November 27 and November 28 are "national holidays". Many are asking if "national" holiday means a regular holiday or a special non-working holiday?

To prevent any confusion, the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) issued a Labor Advisory regarding "November 27-28, 2009, Friday and Saturday respectively, as National Holidays in observance of Eid’l Adha, pursuant to Proclamation No. 1808." Pursuant to Proclamation No. 1808 issued by President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo on April 12, 2009, the following rules for pay on regular holidays, as provided for in DOLE Memorandum Circular No. 01 (dated March 8, 2004), shall apply on November 27-28, 2009:

a) Holiday falls on an employee’s regular workday:

* If unworked – 100% of the regular daily rate shall apply
* If worked:

•    For the 1st 8 hours – 200% of the regular daily rate shall apply
•    In excess of 8 hours – hourly rate for the 1st 8 hours for that day shall apply, plus 30% thereof

* If unworked – 100% of the regular daily rate shall apply
* If worked:

•    For the 1st 8 hours – 200% of the regular daily rate plus 30% thereof shall apply
•    In excess of 8 hours – hourly rate for the 1st 8 hours for that day shall apply, plus 30% thereof

Now, whether you believe the holiday economics is conducive to business and productivity is an entirely different matter. Let's hear about your thoughts in the comment section below.