Secretary Herminio Coloma of the Presidential Communications Operations Office said this developed after Palace officials decided to comply with the holiday economics policy implemented by the past administration at least until the end of the year.

Coloma said the remaining holidays this month was based on Proclamation No. 1841 signed by then President Arroyo for the year 2010.

“December holidays will remain as is per Proclamation No. 1841. Because of this, the regular holidays are December 25, Christmas Day, and December 27, or Monday nearest December 30, Rizal Day. The special non-working holidays are December 24 as additional non-working day and December 31 as the last day of the year,” Coloma said over state-run Radyo ng Bayan.

Coloma said the approval was made by the Office of the Executive Secretary which paves the way for longer weekends for the public this Christmas season.

Malacañang is also expected to release soon a proclamation listing all holidays for 2011 to allow the public to plan their activities.

Presidential Communications Development and Strategic Planning Office Secretary Ramon Carandang, on the other hand, said the Palace is working on the list of holidays, adding they are aware of the concerns of the public to know the schedule ahead of time.

“We’re trying to provide some kind of clarification. Maybe in the next few days, we’ll be able to give you information in advance as to when the holidays will be. We understand the concerns of employees and the companies that any sudden announcement of holidays is a hassle to them,” he said.

“We are doing something to create a schedule so it’s easier for people to know when it’s a holiday and when it’s not,” he added

The Arroyo government implemented holiday economics policy, which allowed the movement of holidays to the nearest Monday, in a bid to spur domestic tourism. But President Aquino was not fond of shifting holidays especially those with historic significance.

Genalyn Kabiling, Manila Bulletin