Escudero clarifies proposal on number of holidays: ‘Wala kaming balak bawasan’

August 12, 2024 , 03:45 PM

(August 12, 2024)- Senate Pres. Chiz Escudero clarified on Monday that the Senate is not seeking to reduce the existing number of holidays but emphasized that they plan to “limit” the approval of more holiday bills.

In a recent statement, Escudero addressed concerns regarding the growing number of holidays, noting that the country currently observes between 23 to 25 national holidays.

“Walang issue sa holidays. Ang polisiya ng Senado, huwag nang dagdagan ‘yung mga holiday natin ngayon dahil sobrang dami na, pero wala kaming balak bawasan,” said Escudero.

“Sinabi na namin, napakahabang kwento ‘yan at hindi aabot sa Kongresong ‘yan ito. Pero sa ngayon, mahigit 23 hanggang 25 ang local at national holidays natin. Huwag na nating dagdagan,” he added.

Escudero also shared that various municipalities have requested for their own local holidays. He explained that the Senate is open to granting holidays to provinces that currently do not have one, but they will not approve additional holidays for areas that already have two or more holidays.

“We’re granting holidays in provinces that don’t have a holiday yet, pero kapag meron na, huwag na ngang dagdagan,” he emphasized.

“Sa araw na ito, tatlo ang aaprubahan naming bill na naglalayong magkaroon ng holiday sa tatlong probinsya. ‘Yung isa, hindi namin pinayagan dahil may dalawa na siyang provincial holiday. Doon nag-aapply, ito ‘yung maliwanag na ebidensiya na huwag nang dagdagan pero ‘wag bawasan.” shared Escudero.

He noted that with the current tally, the country already observes nearly a month’s worth of holidays annually, which can affect productivity.

Escudero also acknowledged the idea of consolidating some holidays into a single observance, similar to the United States’ Presidents’ Day.

“Ang hirap naman pagdebatehan niyan, mahabang kwento. Hindi ‘yun kaya ng isang Kongreso. Siguro mga sampung Kongreso bago mapagkasunduan ‘yan,” he admitted.

The lawmaker also denied issuing any directives to Senate committees to study the possibility of merging existing holidays.

(With reports by Maeanne Los Baños-Oroceo, News5)

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