Senate eyes one special holiday per province

As the number of holidays in the country now totals almost a month or a good 30 days, the Senate is eyeing to limit special non-working holidays per province, Sen. Joseph Victor Ejercito said yesterday.

- CECILLE SUERTE FELIPE

Ejercito said the issue was first raised by Senate President Francis Escudero, who pointed out that employee competitiveness is affected by the almost month-long holidays, which also includes holidays in the provinces, cities and towns-usually to commemorate their founding anniversaries.

"There should only be one holiday per province so the concerns of employers will also be satisfied. The policy of the Senate is for one special non-working holiday per province," Ejercito said in an interview over dzBB.

However, the Federation of Free Workers (FFW), in opposing the idea, said that the country actually has only 12 regular holidays with pay and four special holidays that operate on a "no work, no pay" basis.

The group also asked that, instead of tinkering with the holidays, the Senate should address wage disparities nationwide.