President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. issued executive proclamations establishing special non-working days in 10 local government units across the country throughout October to give residents full opportunity to celebrate local historical events and cultural festivals.
The presidential directives, authorized and signed by Acting Executive Secretary Ralph G. Recto on behalf of President Marcos, grant local holidays for municipal founding anniversaries, historical commemorations, and regional socio-cultural observances.
Under Proclamation No. 1466, Oct. 12 was designated a special non-working day in Talisay, Batangas, to mark the historical commemoration of the Battle of Batangas.
Proclamation No. 1467 declared Oct. 7 a non-working holiday in Malita, Davao Occidental, to enable residents to participate in the municipality’s annual town fiesta.
For local government anniversaries, Proclamation No. 1468 set Oct. 9 as a special non-working day in San Isidro, Surigao del Norte, for its 67th founding anniversary, while Proclamation No. 1469 declared Oct. 16 a non-working day in Lapuyan, Zamboanga del Sur, for its 69th founding anniversary.
Cultural and civic observances were also granted local holiday status under subsequent executive orders.
Proclamation No. 1470 declared Oct. 20 a special non-working day in Batac, Ilocos Norte, commemorating the 160th birth anniversary of Gen. Artemio Ricarte.
Proclamation No. 1471 designated Oct. 21 a non-working holiday in Sibutu, Tawi-Tawi, in observance of its municipal founding anniversary.
Additionally, Proclamation No. 1472 declared Oct. 23 a special non-working day in Angeles City for the annual Tigtigan Terakan Keng Dalan Festival, while Proclamation No. 1473 set the same date, Oct. 23, as a holiday in Narvacan, Ilocos Sur, for the observance of Aldaw Ti Wayawaya-lli A Narvacan.
Proclamation No. 1474 designated Oct. 28 a special non-working day in Dingle, Iloilo, to observe the Cry of Lincud, which official records cite as the first declaration of revolution against Spanish rule in Panay and Iloilo province.
Closing out the month’s designations, Proclamation No. 1475 declared Oct. 29 a special non-working day in Mati City, Davao Oriental, for the celebration of the Sambuokan Festival.
The official issuances indicated that the holiday declarations were enacted to allow residents complete opportunity to participate in and observe their respective local milestones and commemorative programs.