TAGBILARAN CITY, Bohol (PIA) -- Malacañang has declared February 9, 2024 as an additional special non-working day throughout the country.

According to Proclamation No. 453 signed by President Ferdinand R. Macros, Jr. on January 18, 2024, the declaration will give the people the opportunity to celebrate the Chinese New Year this year.

Since Chinese New Year falls on a Saturday, February 10, declaring Friday as a non-working day will allow more opportunity for domestic travel and tourism activities.

It may be recalled that during the administration of former President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo, the practice of creating "long weekends" was implemented. 

Arroyo back then called this as "holiday economics" and has mainstreamed the moving of national holidays closer to Saturday or Sunday to create longer weekends and provide more days for the public to travel. (RAHC/PIA7 Bohol)