Aside from fresh starts and end-of-season sales, one thing that many Filipinos anticipate at the turn of the year is another set of holidays. Knowing these dates in advance can help you make plans ahead of time. Book tickets for your getaways throughout 2019 at cheaper rates. Or set up marketing strategies to make the most of the increased social activity during holidays in the Philippines. To help you plan early, here’s an overview of the official Philippine holidays for 2019, starting with a rundown on the two types of holidays in the country.
Regular vs. Special Non-Working: 2 Kinds of Philippine Holidays
It’s common to wonder how regular holidays are different from special non-working days. This question especially looms over fresh graduates who’ve just stepped into the corporate world. After all, schools suspend classes for all holidays in the Philippines, full stop.
The difference between these two kinds of holidays can be found in their pay rules. For instance, if someone decides to not go to work:
- on a regular holiday, employees are still be paid 100% of their daily rate plus their cost of living allowance (COLA)
- on a special non-working day, the “no work, no pay” policy applies unless the company says otherwise
But if the same person goes to work instead:
- on a regular holiday, they’ll receive 200% of the sum of their daily rate and their COLA
- on a special non-working day, they’ll receive 130% of their daily rate.
A labor advisory from the Department of Labor and Employment lists the pay rules for each type of Philippine holiday in full detail.
Did you know: Aside from these two main types of holidays, Malacañang often declares additional special non-working days. These holidays share pay rules with other special non-working days. They don’t always have commemorative meanings themselves. However, Malacañang declares them anyway just so that Filipinos can have more precious bonding time with their families.
Official List of Philippine Holidays for 2019
Get your planners ready! Here’s the 2019 lineup of official holidays in the Philippines. Take note that depending on where you’re based, your province or city may celebrate additional holidays. For example, Quezon City will celebrate Manuel Quezon’s 141st birth anniversary on Aug. 19, 2019 as a special non-working day. Some companies might still ask you to report to work on holidays though, especially if you’re from the BPO or media industry..
1. JANUARY 1 (TUESDAY) - NEW YEAR’S DAY
Regular Holiday
2. FEBRUARY 5 (TUESDAY) - CHINESE NEW YEAR
Special Non-Working Day
3. FEBRUARY 25 (MONDAY) - EDSA REVOLUTION ANNIVERSARY
Special Non-working Day
*The EDSA Revolution Anniversary forms a long weekend together with Feb. 23-24.
4. APRIL 9 (TUESDAY) - ARAW NG KAGITINGAN
Regular Holiday
5. APRIL 18 (THURSDAY) - MAUNDY THURSDAY
Regular Holiday
6. APRIL 19 (FRIDAY) - GOOD FRIDAY
Regular Holiday
7. APRIL 20 (SATURDAY) - BLACK SATURDAY
Special Non-working Day
8. MAY 1 (WEDNESDAY) - LABOR DAY
Regular Holiday
9. JUNE 12 (WEDNESDAY) - INDEPENDENCE DAY
Regular Holiday
10. AUGUST 21 (WEDNESDAY) - NINOY AQUINO DAY
Special Non-working Day
11. AUGUST 26 (MONDAY) - NATIONAL HEROES’ DAY
Regular Holiday
*National Heroes’ Day forms a long weekend together with Aug. 24-25.
12. NOVEMBER 1 (FRIDAY) - ALL SAINTS’ DAY
Special Non-working Day
13. NOVEMBER 2 (SATURDAY) - ALL SOULS’ DAY
Additional Special Non-working Day
14. NOVEMBER 30 (SATURDAY) - BONIFACIO DAY
Regular Holiday
15. DECEMBER 8 (SUNDAY) - FEAST OF THE IMMACULATE CONCEPTION
Special Non-working Day
16. DECEMBER 24 (TUESDAY) - CHRISTMAS EVE
Additional Special Non-working Day
17. DECEMBER 25 (WEDNESDAY) - CHRISTMAS DAY
Regular Holiday
18. DECEMBER 30 (MONDAY) - RIZAL DAY
Regular Holiday
*Rizal Day forms a 4-day long weekend together with Dec. 28, 29, and 31.
19. DECEMBER 31 (TUESDAY) - LAST DAY OF THE YEAR
Special Non-working Day
Lay down your 2019 plans early, and you can cut down your chances of getting stuck in long lines or cramming social media campaigns for the holidays. Just leave some room for contingencies and last-minute changes, and you can handle the new year with ease. Have an awesome 2019!
Was this post helpful? No matter the season, you can read more informative articles on social media and digital marketing by regularly visiting our blog.
