MANILA, Philippines - Malacañang yesterday declared June 26 as a regular holiday nationwide in observance of Eid’l Fitr or the end of the Muslim holy month of Ramadan.
The holiday was declared through Proclamation No. 235 signed by Executive Secretary Salvador Medialdea on behalf of President Duterte.
“In order to bring the religious and cultural significance of Eid’l Fitr to the fore of national consciousness, it is necessary to declare Monday, June 26 2017, as a regular holiday throughout the country,” the proclamation read.
Eid’l Fitr, which marks the end of a month-long fasting of Muslims, was declared a national holiday by Republic Act 9177 enacted in 2002.
The date of the religious event varies because it is based on the lunar calendar or upon Islamic astronomical calculations.
There are about five million Muslims in the predominantly Catholic Philippines.