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Senate President Francis "Chiz" Escudero announced that the Senate has reached a consensus to limit the number of local holidays in a bid to bolster the nation's economic competitiveness.

Photo Courtesy of Senate Public Relations and Information Bureau.

Escudero expressed concerns that the excessive number of holidays, which can accumulate to more than a month annually, could hinder the productivity of both businesses and workers in the Philippines.

"Nagkasundo ang Senado na limitahan ang mga holiday. Mahigit isang buwan na ang holiday sa buong bansa, which makes Philippine companies and workers less competitive," Escudero stated during a press briefing on August 7. 

Escudero pointed out that other nations, such as the United States, consolidate their holidays to maintain efficiency. 

"Meron silang Presidents’ Day, lahat ng magagaling nilang presidente pinagsama-sama nila sa iisang araw na lang na holiday. Tayo hindi," he noted, highlighting how the Philippines marked multiple holidays to honor individual heroes, which could instead be unified.

The Senate President revealed that he has requested a study on the holiday formats of other countries, particularly the US, but admitted that the proposal might cause division among lawmakers. 

"Ang problema lang away 'yan eh. Pero hindi naman kailangang gawin yan ngayon, simulan lang natin ang proseso," he remarked.

However, the proposal has elicited mixed reactions from various sectors. 

Labor Secretary Bienvenido Laguesma acknowledged the pros and cons of reducing holidays, noting that while too many holidays can affect productivity, workers also benefit from holiday incentives.

“Alam naman natin na talagang kung ang holiday ay napakarami, naapektuhan ang productivity. On the other hand, ‘yung mga gustong magsipasok nakikinabang sa dagdag na insentibo dahil nagtrabaho sila ng holiday," Laguesma said.

Meanwhile, labor group NAGKAISA opposed the proposal, arguing that holidays provide much-needed respite for workers. 

"Sa halip na pagtuunan ng pansin ang pagbabawas ng holidays, sana ay isaalang-alang ng ating mga senador at representante sa Kongreso ang kagat sa sikmura at nararamdaman ng mga manggagawa," said NAGKAISA Chairperson Sonny Matula. 

He also pointed out that the proposal might be more about avoiding the payment of holiday premiums rather than genuinely improving productivity.

Currently, the Philippines observes 10 regular holidays and several special non-working days each year. 

With the Senate's proposal, the future of these holidays—and their impact on both the economy and the workforce—remains yet to be seen.