Making plans for the rest of the year? Don’t limit yourself to career goals and resolutions. Better still, incorporate rest and relaxation into your schedule and prioritize them this year. The best way to start is to align your schedule with the 2023 holidays in the Philippines, which the government has officially declared. Plotting your trips or days off in advance will not only give you the motivation and enough time to save up. It will also allow you to maximize your allotted vacation leaves.
In this blog, we’ll give you a run-down of the 2023 holidays in the Philippines. We’ll be differentiating the type of holidays and what they mean, whether you’re rendering work hours or taking that much-deserved day off. As a bonus, we’ll offer down ideas on what you can do on your long holidays or weekends.
Table of Contents
Regular 2023 Holidays in the Philippines
Regular holidays are typically holidays with a fixed date. Religious holidays such as Holy Week, Eid’l Fitr, and Eid’l Adha can move depending on the institution’s respective calendars or announcements.
In other cases, the government can elect to move dates for special reasons. For example, for the Philippines holidays 2023, Araw ng Kagitingan (Day of Valor) and Bonifacio Day have been moved to the closest weekday to create longer weekends. This move is to encourage domestic travel and tourism in the country.
Workers who opt to take the regular holiday off receive 100% of their daily rate. This is what’s called a “holiday pay.” On the other hand, workers who are required to work during the regular holiday will receive what is called a “double pay,” an additional 100% on top of their daily rate.
If the regular holiday happens to fall on a rest day and employees are still required to work, they then stand to receive their daily rate x 130% x 2.
2023 Philippine Holidays (Regular)
- New Year’s Day – January 1 (Sunday)
- Araw ng Kagitingan – April 10 (Monday nearest April 9, 2023)
- Maundy Thursday – April 6
- Good Friday – April 7
- Labor Day – May 1 (Monday)
- Independence Day – June 12 (Monday)
- National Heroes Day – August 28 (Last Monday of August)
- Bonifacio Day – November 27 (Monday nearest November 30)
- Christmas Day – December 25 (Monday)
- Rizal Day – December 30 (Saturday)
Separate proclamations will be made for Eid’l Fitr and Eid’l Adha, pending advice from
National Commission on Muslim Filipinos. For now, you can pencil the following estimated dates in your calendar:
Estimate:
Eid’l Fitr – April 22 (Saturday)
Eid’l Adha – June 29 (Thursday)
Special 2023 Holidays in the Philippines
Special holidays in the Philippines fall under two categories: the special non-working holiday and the special working holiday. The special non-working holiday means “no work, no pay”. Workers required to render hours during such a holiday will get an additional 30% on top of the regular daily rate. The special working holiday, on the other hand, is no different from a regular work day.
For 2023 holidays, the Philippine government has added two special holidays: January 2 and November 2, to allow workers to spend more time with their families post-holiday.
2023 Philippine Holidays (Special)
- EDSA People Power Revolution Anniversary – February 25 (Saturday)
- Black Saturday – April 8
- Ninoy Aquino Day – August 21 (Monday)
- All Saints’ Day – November 1 (Wednesday)
- Feast of the Immaculate Conception of Mary – December 8 (Friday)
- Last Day of the Year – December 31 (Sunday)
Additional Special Holidays:
Post-New Year – January 2 (Monday)
Post-All Saints’ Day – November 2 (Thursday)
Ideas for Philippine Holidays 2023
Take advantage of the early holiday announcements to make plans for the rest of the year. Spend more time in your hometown or go on a longer holiday. A top tip is to strategically place your vacation leave between or after holidays to create longer weekends. However, never be absent from work before a regular holiday so you can still be entitled to your holiday pay.
Long Weekends for Philippine Holidays 2023
- April 6-10 (Holy Week plus Day of Valor)
- April 29, 30, May 1
- Jun 10, 11, 12
- Aug 19, 20, 21
- Aug 26, 27, 28
- Nov 1, 2, 3, 4, 5 (take a leave on Nov 3)
Ideas for 5-Day Holidays
Opt for a beach or cool destination in a location that’s relatively far from your location. Places like La Union, Siargao, Baler, Batanes, Cagayan de Oro, and Palaui Islands require a few hours’ drive or a plane ride, so they’re ideal for longer vacations.
If you’re opting to go out of the country, it’s best to combine the holidays plus your vacation leaves. Schedule your trips abroad during the Holy Week until Labor Day, or in between Ninoy Aquino Day and National Heroes’ Day to enjoy a 3-week trip abroad.
Ideas for Quick 3-Day Holidays
Trips to destinations that you can reach in three hours or less by private car or public transportation are best for 3-day holidays. Themed road trips are a fun idea if you have your own ride. Go on a themed food trip in Pampanga or do heritage sightseeing in Laguna or Bulacan.
If you want to commune with nature, you have two options. One is to go camping. There are now excellent dedicated campsites in Zambales, Baguio, and Rizal just a few hours’ drive from Metro Manila. If you prefer the adrenaline rush of reaching the summit, you can go hiking. Bataan and Batangas are two spots just a few hours from the city that offer a range of hiking spots.
Ideas for 1-Day Holidays
Relaxing at home is a nice holiday idea, especially if you only have one free day. But if it’s a nice day out, you can still do plenty of things without traveling too far. Why not visit a museum or gallery? If you’re a foodie, you will enjoy eating at a unique hole-in-the-wall, checking out a new neighborhood cafe, or driving to a restaurant with a view like the ones in Antipolo or Tagaytay. If you’re back in your hometown, search for your hometown’s top tourist spot and be a tourist for a day.
Taking a break is just as important as being on the go. Sometimes, resting is the most productive thing you can do. So take time to relax, enjoy the fruits of your labor, and spend time with family and friends. Plan your 2023 holidays in the Philippines as early as now.
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Frequently Asked Questions about 2023 Holidays Philippines
Q: What are the declared 2023 holidays in the Philippines?
A: According to the government announcement, below are the 2023 holidays in the Philippines.
2023 Philippine Holidays (Regular)
- New Year’s Day – January 1, 2023 (Sunday)
- Araw ng Kagitingan – April 10, 2023 (Monday nearest April 9, 2023)
- Maundy Thursday – April 6, 2023
- Good Friday – April 7, 2023
- Labor Day – May 1, 2023 (Monday)
- Independence Day – June 12, 2023 (Monday)
- National Heroes Day – August 28, 2023 (Last Monday of August)
- Bonifacio Day – November 27, 2023 (Monday nearest November 30)
- Christmas Day – December 25, 2023 (Monday)
- Rizal Day – December 30, 2023 (Saturday)
2023 Philippine Holidays (Special)
- EDSA People Power Revolution Anniversary – February 25 (Saturday)
- Black Saturday – April 8
- Ninoy Aquino Day – August 21 (Monday)
- All Saints’ Day – November 1 (Wednesday)
- Feast of the Immaculate Conception of Mary – December 8 (Friday)
- Last Day of the Year – December 31 (Sunday)
Additional:
Post-New Year – January 2 (Monday)
Post-All Saints’ Day – November 2 (Thursday)
Separate proclamations will be made for Eid’l Fitr and Eid’l Adha.
Q: How many holidays are there in 2023?
A: There are 18 2023 holidays the Philippine government has formally announced.
Q: How many working days are in the 2023 calendar year?
A: Based on the government proclamation, there are 242 working days in the 2023 calendar year in the Philippines. This is still subject to change.
