THE Department of Education regional office in Central Luzon (DepEd 3) said that August 22, Wednesday, is not a holiday.
This as President Rodrigo Duterte signed Proclamation No. 556 declaring August 21 a regular holiday in observance of Eid’l Adha, which coincides with Ninoy Aquino Day.
“Therefore, August 22 will not be a national holiday. Please be guided accordingly,” the DepEd-3 said in an advisory to students and teachers in the region.
This year’s Eid’l Adha, or Feast of Sacrifice, was initially thought to fall on August 22.
But the National Commission on Muslim Filipinos have reportedly recommended the national observance of the event on August 21 instead.
Eid'l Adha is one of Islam's two major feasts along with Eid'l Fitr. Eid'l Adha marks the descent of pilgrims as they complete the annual Hajj in Mecca, Islam’s holiest city.
This year, Eid’l Adha will be observed from the eve of August 21 through the entire August 22. Republic Act No. 9849 mandates that Eid’l Adha shall be observed as a regular holiday.
The Muslim feast coincides with the death anniversary of former senator Benigno "Ninoy" Aquino, Jr., which is listed as a special non-working day.
Aquino was assassinated on August 21, 1983 at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport (then known as the Manila International Airport) upon returning home from a three-year self-exile in the United States.
His killing sparked a movement that culminated in the 1986 People Power Revolution, which deposed dictator Ferdinand Marcos.