Published by The Arroyo government on Monday apologized to Muslim residents of the Philippines for having withdrawn its earlier order declaring the Muslim festival of Eid’l Adha, the Islamic feast of the holy sacrifice, on November 27 and 28 as national holidays.
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The new proclamation issued by President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo said the holidays will only be observed in the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (ARMM). The ARMM covers the provinces of Basilan, Sulu, Tawi-tawi, Lanao del Sur, Maguindanao and the city of Marawi.
Press Secretary Cerge Remonde said Arroyo amended her earlier order after Trade Secretary Peter Favila brought to her attention the complaints of business leaders on the numerous holidays in October and November, which they said adversely affected productivity and slowed down growth.
“We apologize for those who have been inconvenienced by the change,” Remonde said, adding that industrial production has been severely affected by the number of holidays declared in October and November as well as by the recent storms.
Muslim leaders, however, expressed misgivings about Arroyo’s amended declaration, saying her government appeared to be giving more respect to the business community rather than the tradition and belief of Muslims.
“Muslim Filipinos are not only confined in the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao but are present all over the country,” Mike Ibrahim, deputy secretary general of National Ulama Conference of the Philippines, said in a statement.
Last April 12, Arroyo issued Proclamation No. 1808 declaring November 27 and 28 this year as national holidays.
But last Saturday, the Malacanang presidential palace announced that Arroyo amended her earlier proclamation last Oct. 26, making Eid’l Adha a regional, not a national, holiday.
Ibrahim said Arroyo’s change of mind shows her lack of understanding on the “cultural practices and sentiments of the Muslims in the Philippines.”
Eid’l Adha and Eid’l Fitr (the feast at the end of holy month of Ramadan) are the two “authentic feasts” Muslims celebrate worldwide, he said. “With the amended declaration, how would Muslims living outside the ARMM celebrate Eid’l Adha now,” he asked.
As a result of Arroyo’s amended order, Labor Secretary Marianito Roque said those who work on Nov. 27 and 28 will not receive holiday overtime pay, except for those in ARMM.
With the two-day Eid national holidays scrapped, Roque said there will only be three holidays in the Philippines this November – All Saints Day, which is a special non-working day on Nov. 1; the additional special non-working day on Nov. 2, and the regular holiday in celebration of Bonifacio Day on Nov. 30.
