Holiday Economics

Definition

         Holiday economics is a term which describes the government’s deliberate manipulation of holiday dates for economic and organizational purposes. Introduced by President Macapagal-Arroyo in 2001, holiday economics moves holidays in the middle of the week to Monday or Friday to avoid disruptions in business activities and to provide families with three day weekends. By encouraging people to spend and travel more during holidays, it aims to boost domestic tourism and to improve the Philippine economy. This policy was then officially made into a law in August 20, 2007 when President Macapagal-Arroyo signed the Republic Act (RA) 9492, “An Act Rationalizing the Celebration of National Holidays” (“GMA signs”). This law moves all national holidays to the nearest Monday and provides a six-month advanced notice before a holiday would be declared non-working (“GMA signs”).