Escudero pushes for fewer holidays

Metro Manila, Philippines – Senate President Francis “Chiz” Escudero has ordered a review of public holidays, saying the country has too many of them to impact productivity.

“Mahigit isang buwan na ang holiday sa buong bansa (The country has over a month’s worth of holidays) which makes Philippine companies and workers less competitive,” Escudero said in a press conference on Wednesday.

He cited the Presidents’ Day in the US, which commemorates the birthdays of former presidents George Washington and Abraham Lincoln every third Monday of February. It is viewed as a holiday celebrating all former presidents.

“Tayo hindi eh, may Araw ng Kagitingan, National Heroes Day, bawat bayani pag pinatay sila may holiday na naman, di ba?” Escudero said.

[Translation: That’s not the case for us. We have Araw ng Kagitingan, National Heroes Day, and whenever a hero is killed, there’s another holiday, right.]

Asked if it’s possible to merge holidays, Escudero said, “isa ‘yun sa pinapaaralan ko sa kanila ngayon sa komite (that’s one of the things I am asking the committee on local government to do.).”

He admitted the move is contentious.

“Hindi naman kailangang gawin ‘yan ngayon, simulan lang natin ang proseso, hayaan mong mag percolate sya, mapagpasyahan,” he said.

[Translation: It doesn’t have to be done now. Let’s just start the process and let it percolate. It will be decided eventually.]

As the Senate tackles proposed additional local holidays, Escudero said the chamber has agreed to limit its approval of such measures.

On Thursday, the Senate held an extra session to tackle local bills, which included the creation of hospitals and declaration of holidays.

NewsWatch Plus Senior Correspondent Eimor Santos contributed to this report