No Declaration of Non-Working Holiday on Oct. 31, 2023, Confirms Malacañang
Malacañang announced that there will be no proclamation of October 31, 2023, as a non-working holiday. This was confirmed by Presidential Communications Office (PCO) Secretary Cheloy Garafil on Tuesday.
Background: Citing Executive Secretary Lucas Bersamin, Secretary Garafil emphasized that there are currently no plans to declare the said date as a non-working day. This decision contrasts with the previous year when President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. had declared October 31 as a special non-working holiday.
Future Proclamations: Interestingly, the said date is also not slated to be considered as a non-working day in 2024.
Election Considerations: In light of the Barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan Elections, President Marcos has declared October 30 as a special non-working day.
Cultural Observations: It’s a common practice for people to start visiting cemeteries on October 31, a day prior to All Saints’ Day. This is primarily to sidestep the larger crowds that assemble during the initial two days of November. Notably, November 1 is observed as a special non-working day in honor of All Saints’ Day, with an additional holiday declared for November 2.
