When I was working, the only time that I get to enjoy the holidays or long weekends was when my birthday falls on a Saturday because that means I’ve got two days off (Saturday and Sunday). I also enjoy the Holy Week because the company is off for a couple of days to observe the Catholic tradition. Some businesses are not really fond of holidays and long weekends because they have to pay their workers (who would report for work) 200 percent of their basic salary. Workers are also entitled to receive their regular salary even if they are on long holidays. Paying workers properly and on time are part of the labor standards observed in the Philippines.

For their part, businesses are accorded equal protection under the law. I’m not sure if this applicable in the local setting, but fidelity bond protects businesses against embezzlement or theft by employees.

Government Declared Philippine Holidays

January 1 (Sunday) – New Year’s Day
January 23 (Monday) – Chinese New Year
February 25 (Saturday) – EDSA Revolution Anniversary
April 5 (Thursday) – Maundy Thursday
April 6 (Friday) – Good Friday
April 9 (Monday) – Araw ng Kagitingan
May 1 (Tuesday) – Labor Day
June 12 (Tuesday) – Independence Day
August 19 (Sunday) – Eid’l Fitr
August 21 (Tuesday) – Ninoy Aquino Day
August 27 (Monday) – National Heroes Day
October 26 (Friday) – Eid’l Adha
November 1 (Thursday) – All Saints Day
November 2 (Friday) – Special (non-working) Day
November 30 (Friday) – Bonifacio Day
December 25 (Tuesday) – Christmas Day
December 30 (Sunday) – Rizal Day
December 31 (Monday) – Last Day of the Year

Long Weekends for 2012

January 21-23 — Chinese New Year
April 5-9 — Holy Week and Araw ng Kagitingan
April 28 – May 1 — Labor Day
August 18-21 — Eid-al-Fitr and Ninoy Aquino Day
August 25-27 — National Heroes Day
October 26-28 — Eid-al-Adha
November 1-4 — All Saints’ Day
November 30-Dec 2 — Bonifacio Day
December 22-25 — Christmas
December 29-Jan 1 — New Year