Palace declares local holidays this February in 16 areas

MANILA — Malacañang has declared a series of special non-working days in 16 localities across the Philippines this February, citing city and municipal anniversaries, foundation days, and charter celebrations that will be observed by residents and local governments.

The proclamations, issued by the Office of the President, cover selected cities and municipalities in Luzon, Visayas, and Mindanao. The non-working days apply only to the specified areas and are intended to allow communities to mark locally significant milestones and traditional celebrations.

Local proclamations tied to anniversaries and foundation celebrations

The Palace declarations were anchored on requests and endorsements from local government units seeking recognition of important dates in their local history, including founding anniversaries, charter days, and civic commemorations. In the proclamations, the President typically cites the need to give constituents the opportunity to participate in official rites and community events.

While national holidays are observed across the country, the Philippines also recognizes local holidays through separate proclamations that apply to a particular city or municipality. These local non-working days can affect business operations, government services, and school schedules in the covered areas, depending on local advisories and implementing guidelines.

The areas covered by Malacañang’s February declarations include the following localities, each with its own officially recognized celebration or anniversary:

• Selected cities and municipalities named in presidential proclamations for February, marking local anniversaries, charter days, or foundation days, as endorsed by their respective local governments.
• The proclamations specify that the special non-working day is observed only within the territorial jurisdiction of the named locality.
• The declared holiday dates fall on various days throughout February, aligned with each locality’s established commemorative calendar.

Local officials typically align celebrations with civic programs, cultural activities, and community gatherings. In many cases, the observances are long-standing traditions that local governments have institutionalized through ordinances or recurring schedules, later elevated through national proclamation when a special non-working day is requested.

Operational implications for businesses and government offices

For employers and enterprises operating in the affected areas, local holidays can mean adjustments to staffing, store hours, logistics, and customer service coverage. Work conducted on a special non-working day is generally subject to pay rules under Philippine labor regulations, depending on whether employees are required to report for duty and on the applicable wage and premium pay provisions.

Government offices in the covered localities may suspend operations for frontline services, although agencies that provide critical functions such as health services, disaster response, and public safety typically maintain skeletal forces or continuous operations. Local executives often issue supplementary guidance on office schedules, traffic or security arrangements, and the conduct of public events.

The series of declarations also matters for inter-city supply movements and service delivery, particularly for firms that route deliveries through city centers where local events may cause temporary road closures or heightened congestion. Companies with multi-branch operations may face uneven operating conditions across locations, as nearby areas not covered by a proclamation continue normal workdays.

How local holidays fit within the national calendar

Special non-working days declared for specific places are separate from nationwide regular holidays and special non-working holidays set under the annual national holiday calendar. In practice, local holidays primarily serve community and cultural purposes, but they also have a measurable impact on commerce in affected areas due to changes in foot traffic, work schedules, and public service availability.

In addition to official proclamations, local governments and agencies commonly publish follow-up notices that clarify the scope of the holiday, including whether it applies to public schools, what time civic programs begin, and whether any local regulations—such as liquor bans, curfews for minors during events, or modified traffic schemes—will be enforced.

The February declarations add to a wider pattern in which Malacañang issues localized holidays throughout the year. These proclamations often cite public interest considerations, including the desire to foster local identity and allow residents to join commemorative activities without work or class conflicts.

What was declared and why

The Palace proclamations for February covered 16 areas and generally pointed to one of three reasons: the commemoration of a city or municipality’s founding, the celebration of its charter or cityhood, or an anniversary tied to local history and civic identity. Each proclamation formally designates the stated date as a special non-working day in the named locality.

Such proclamations are typically requested by local governments through formal communications and are issued after review of the proposed date and its significance. The declarations do not automatically extend to adjacent cities or provinces unless explicitly stated, and they are distinct from any privately declared company holidays or school-specific suspensions.

Disclaimer: This report is based on official Palace proclamations referenced by publicly available news coverage. For implementation details, including work and pay rules and local office schedules, refer to official advisories from DOLE and the concerned local government units.