by RG Alama

Davao City (18 December) -- With the coming holidays in December, various individuals and offices are constantly seeking information on the current date and status of holidays being declared through laws or Presidential Proclamations

Here is the list of non-working holidays this December with corresponding laws and Presidential proclamations for your guidance.

Republic Act 9492 which is an act rationalizing the celebration of National Holidays, lists the country's regular and special holidays. December 25 is listed as a regular holiday and December 31, which is the last day of the year, is a nationwide special holiday.

December 24, a Monday - is a SPECIAL non-working day as declared in Proclamation 1211 issued in early January of 2007.

One of the reasons for Proclamation 1211 was in order to give our countrymen a more meaningful observance of Christmas and to giver them greater opportunities to strengthen their ties with one another.

In August 2007, President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo signed Proclamation 1353 which declares December 30 (Rizal Day) as a regular holiday throughout the country. The proclamation states that Dec. 30 which is a Sunday need not be moved to the nearest Monday as provided under RA9492 because Dec. 31 is already a holiday.

RA9492 provides that in the event the holiday falls on a Sunday, the holiday will be observed on a Monday that follows, provided that for movable holiday the President shall issue a proclamation at least six months prior to that holiday.