President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. has officially moved the commemoration of Ninoy Aquino Day from its original date, August 21, 2024, to August 23, the Presidential Communications Office announced on Thursday.
The change comes through Proclamation No. 665, signed by Executive Secretary Lucas Bersamin on August 15, 2024, which declared August 23 as a special non-working holiday. The move to shift the holiday, which falls on a Wednesday this year, aims to provide a long weekend, allowing Filipinos to enjoy an extended break and potentially boosting domestic tourism.
According to the proclamation, the long weekend will allow the public to rest, travel, and engage in local tourism activities. The document emphasizes the potential positive impact on the economy, as a longer weekend is seen as an avenue to encourage more people to visit local destinations and engage in leisure activities, which could benefit businesses in the tourism industry.
The commemoration of Ninoy Aquino Day, observed annually to honor the late Senator Benigno “Ninoy” Aquino Jr., was first established under Republic Act No. 9492. The law was signed in 2007 by then-President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo, marking the day of his assassination on August 21, 1983, as a special holiday. The law also provides flexibility, allowing the celebration of the holiday on the Monday nearest to August 21. This year’s adjustment, however, was made through executive proclamation.
The Ninoy Aquino Day holiday is an important national observance, as it commemorates the significant role of Ninoy Aquino in the struggle for democracy during the Martial Law era under former President Ferdinand Marcos Sr. His assassination sparked a series of events that led to the People Power Revolution in 1986, eventually toppling the dictatorship and restoring democratic rule.
With the long weekend ahead, Filipinos can look forward to an extra day to rest or travel while still reflecting on the historical significance of Ninoy Aquino Day. Public offices and schools will be closed on Friday, August 23, providing an opportunity for a three-day weekend for many citizens.