Manila (21 February) -- Some of the country's regular holidays and special non-working holiday have been moved to the nearest Monday giving Filipinos a longer weekend this 2008.

This after President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo signed Proclamation No. 1463 last February 18 that set the specific dates of movable holidays as mandated by Republic Act 9492 or An Act Rationalizing the Celebration of National Holidays.

R.A. 9492 provides that holidays, except those which are religious in nature, are moved to the nearest Monday unless otherwise modified by law, order or proclamation.

Under the recently issued Proclamation No. 1463, the following regular holidays would be moved to the Monday nearest the Holiday: Araw ng Kagitingan (from April 9), Independence Day (from June 12), National Heroes Day (last Monday of August), Bonifacio Day (from November 30).

On the other hand, the Ninoy Aquino Day which is a special non-working day, observed on August 21 has been moved to the nearest Monday August 18.

Also, under Proclamation No. 1463, the following regular holidays shall fall on the following dates: Maundy Thursday (March 20, Thursday), Good Friday (March 21, Friday), Labor Day (May 1, Thursday), Christmas Day (December 25, Thursday) and Rizal Day (Dec. 30, Tuesday).

This year, Special (Non-Working) Holidays such as the All Saints' Day falls on Nov. 1, Saturday and the Last Day of the year on December 31, Wednesday.

Proclamation No. 1463 also listed two additional special (non-working) days this 2008 which are December 26, Friday and December 29, Monday.