Philippines: Know the 3 long weekends this April

Manila: Before the month of April is over, three long weekends are coming up. The first is a five-day long weekend, which has kicked off today (April 6), Thursday as the Catholic-majority country observes Lent, which extends until Monday (April 10).

Holy Week

That's because part of the Holy Week observed in the Christian-majority country this month has been clubbed with a day of regular holiday horouning the country's heroes.

Pursuant to Proclamation No. 90, s. 2022, April 6,7, and 10 of the year 2023 are declared a regular holiday in observance of the Holy Week (April 6-9) — and the Day of Valour (April 10), according to the Official Gazette of Malacañang.

On March 21, 2023, Philippine President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr.  has declared April 6 and 7, 2023 as official holidays in the country.

In addition, Pres. Marcos has also declared April 10, Monday, as the Day of Valor (Tagalog: "Araw ng Kagitingan") as a regular holiday.

According to the president, the purpose is to give Filipino Catholics an opportunity to meditate in accordance with the observance of Lent.

"Let's use this opportunity to give time to our loved ones while we are responsible for following health and safety protocols. May this time be peaceful and meaningful for everyone," the Philippine Information Agency (PIA) quoted the chief executive as saying.

Eid Al Fitr weekend

The second possible long weekend is Eid Al Fitr, which marks the end of Ramadan, the holy month when Muslims across the world fast from dawn to dusk.

The Philippines celebrates Eid Al Fitr and Eid Al Adha as national holidays. Separate proclamations will be issued when the holidays will be observed, according to the Malacanang, the presidential palace.

Islamic countries are expected to sight the crescent of Shawwal on Thursday, April 20 — Eid Al Fitr is most likely to start on April 21 (Friday), according to the International Astronomical Centre.

This could be another opportunity for a long weekend in the Philippines.

Labour Day weekend

The third long weekend — three-days — comes when the country marks Labour Day on May 1 (Monday), a regular holiday, which is preceded by Saturday (April 29) and Sunday (April 30). The Asian country follows a two-day weekend system.

Republic Act 9492, a law rationalising the celebration of holidays signed in July 2007 aims to spur domestic consumption during periods of long holidays.

Known as "holiday economics", the edict has turned the previous informal practice of moving holiday observances as an official government policy. The law requires that most holidays, except those with religious significance, will be moved to the nearest Monday.