MANILA, Philippines — President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. declared special non-working days in six areas to allow residents to fully participate in their respective local celebrations, Malacañang said Tuesday. Proclamation 1162, signed by Executive Secretary Ralph Recto on Feb. 9, declared March 20 a special non-working day in the City of San Fernando, La Union in celebration of its Founding Anniversary.
March 10 was declared a special non-working day in Tanauan City, Batangas in celebration of its 25th Cityhood Anniversary, under Proclamation 1164.
The same day was also declared a special non-working day in Norala, South Cotabato in celebration of its Founding Anniversary, under Proclamation 1165. Under Proclamation 1166, the municipality of Bauko in Mountain Province will observe a special non-working day on March 13. This is in celebration of the Begnas di Bauko Festival, a thanksgiving celebration in honor of their ancestors and their Supreme Being, Kabunyan, for a bountiful harvest.
Proclamation 1167 declared March 18 a special non-working day in the entire province of Masbate to mark its 125th Founding Anniversary.
These proclamations, which were released to the media on Tuesday, were signed by Recto on Feb. 11.
Meanwhile, residents of Aguilar, Pangasinan will enjoy a special non-working day on March 16 to celebrate the Ansakket Festival, as stated in Proclamation 1168 which was signed on February 12.
The festival is a celebration meant to express gratitude to the Father Almighty for a good harvest. It also aims to promote the town's famous delicacy, ansakket, or cakes made from glutinous rice.
