February 26, 2021
Netizens expressed dismay with President Rodrigo Duterte’s decision to lessen the number of non-working days in 2021 in a bid to spur economic growth amid the COVID-19 pandemic.
Duterte on Friday (February 26) signed Proclamation No. 1107, which categorized three days that had been declared special holidays as special working days. These are Nov. 2 (All Souls’ Day), Dec. 24 (Christmas Eve), and Dec. 31 (New Year’s Eve).
“For the country to recover from the adverse impact of the COVID-19 pandemic, there is a need to encourage economic productivity by, among others, minimizing work disruption and commemorating some special holidays as special (working) days instead,” Duterte’s proclamation read.
Writer @JerryGracio tweeted: “Hindi na special non-working holiday ang All Souls Day. Wala kasing kaluluwa si Duterte.”
Journalist @prinzmagtulis said: “Duterte government’s strategy to revive the economy: Ease monetary policy || Reject additional fiscal stimulus || Lessen holidays.”
Twitter user @Punongbayan_ asked: “Payag ka rito pero si Duterte, 365 days ang non-working holidays?”
Netizen @nicoquejano tweeted: “Okay. Sa mga nagsasabi na pumapasok naman talaga sila pag December 24 at December 31. Mga teh, Duterte just took away the holiday premium you get for working on a holiday! Suck on that, mga DDS. Puñeta.”
Twitter user @Nicocoleeta said: “Sana di na magkaroon ng masarap na ulam ever si Duterte at pamilya nya. pwede naman kasi tanggalin yung Nov. 30, Day of Valor, or Chinese New Year as holidays eh, pero nope yung mga holidays na in a way ‘need’ para macelebrate yung occassion with families.”
