(UPDATE) PRESIDENT Ferdinand Marcos Jr. issued a series of proclamations declaring special non-working holidays in several cities and municipalities nationwide for November and December 2024.
At the same time, the President declared Nov. 4 this year a national day of mourning in honor of the lives lost and families affected by Severe Tropical Storm Kristine (international name: Trami).
Marcos said the national day of mourning was declared "in solidarity with the bereaved families and loved ones of those who perished due to the devastation" that Kristine brought.
"The nation deeply mourns this tragic loss and joins the families and loved ones of our departed brothers and sisters in this moment of immense sorrow," the President said in the proclamation.
As provided by law, Marcos said that flags be at half-staff from sunrise to sunset as a tribute to those lost to one of the deadliest storms to hit the nation this year.
"The entire nation is requested to offer prayers for the eternal repose of the souls of the victims," he added.
Kristine, which has a reported death toll of 150, battered the Philippines last October, bringing torrential rains, floods and landslides that caused extensive devastation across the country.
Meanwhile, the special non-working days are Nov. 8 – Tanay, Rizal (Proclamation 725); Nov. 12 – Valenzuela City (Proclamation 711); Nov. 15 – Oriental Mindoro (Proclamation 712); Nov. 15 – Borongan City, Eastern Samar (Proclamation 726); Nov. 22 – Palayan City, Nueva Ecija (Proclamation 713); Nov. 22 – Itogon, Benguet (Proclamation 715); Nov. 22 – Tublay, Benguet (Proclamation 716); Nov. 23 – Benguet Province (Proclamation 717); Nov. 25 – Marasugan, Davao de Oro (Proclamation 718); Nov. 26 – Dasmariñas City, Cavite (Proclamation 719); Nov. 28 – Sarangani Province (Proclamation 720); Nov. 28 – Piñan, Zamboanga del Norte (Proclamation 721); and Dec. 5 – Palayan City, Nueva Ecija (Proclamation 714).
The President also declared the second week of October of every year as "National Myopia Consciousness Week" to raise awareness of the dangers of the said eye disease.
"Myopia or nearsightedness is a refractive error in which rays of light entering the eye parallel to the optic axis are brought to a focus in front of the retina when ocular accommodation is relaxed," Marcos said in the proclamation.
"There is a need to promote public awareness of the dangers of myopia and acknowledge the importance of myopia prevention and control to encourage healthier lifestyle habits among Filipinos," he added.
Marcos cited the report of the World Health Organization-Brien Holden Vision Institute about the rapid global rise in myopia.
The President said there was a forecast that by 2030 and 2050, about 3.36 billion and 4.8 billion people, respectively, would be affected, increasing the risk of vision impairment from conditions like retinal damage, cataracts, glaucoma and myopic macular degeneration.
With this, the President ordered the Department of Health (DoH) and the Professional Regulation Commission (PRC) and its Board of Optometry to lead the yearly observance of the National Myopia Consciousness Week.
All other government offices, including state universities and colleges, local government units, and the private sector, are urged to actively participate and support the DoH and the PRC in its programs.
Marcos also declared the 19th day of October of every year as "Transport Cooperative Day" to highlight the sector's contribution to advancing public transportation.
Under Proclamation 723, the President directed the Department of Transportation, the Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board, and the Office of Transportation Cooperatives to lead the annual observance.
"Through the years, transport cooperatives have played a significant role in promoting government-cooperative sector collaboration, empowering communities, and advancing public transportation, as highlighted in the success of the Public Transport Modernization Program," Marcos said.
"There is a need to recognize the significant contributions of transport cooperatives in ensuring the advancement of the TCP (Transport Cooperative Program) and in providing meaningful and responsive service to the transport sector, as well as to agencies, institutions, and individuals," he added.
All government agencies and instrumentalities, including government-owned and -controlled corporations, government financial institutions, and state universities and colleges, are enjoined to participate and assist the Transportation Department to ensure the success of the activities marking Transport Cooperative Day.
Local government units, nongovernment organizations and the private sector are encouraged to support the celebration of the event.
Meanwhile, the month of December of every year has been declared as the "Philippine Architecture Festival-National Architecture Month" under Proclamation 724.
Under the proclamation, Marcos ordered the Board of Architecture under the Professional Regulation Commission to lead the observance of the Philippine Architecture Festival-National Architecture Month in coordination with accredited architectural organizations.
In 1971, Proclamation 934 was issued to declare the second week of December as "Architecture Week" to draw attention to the invaluable contribution of architects towards planned urban growth, environmental planning, and overall social progress.
Marcos cited the need to amend Proclamation 934 and signed Proclamation 724, which extends the observance of the Architecture Week to a month-long celebration "to provide an extensive platform to promote the discipline, recognize the contributions of Filipino architects, and highlight architecture's role in urban planning, sustainability, and social progress."
"The Philippines, renowned for its rich architectural legacy and vibrant contemporary designs, stands as a key player in the global architectural arena through preservation of cultural heritage and advancement of sustainable design practices," the President said.
On Thursday, the President issued a list of regular holidays for 2025.