Last February 23, President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. issued a last-minute proclamation declaring February 24 a special nonworking day. The reason is to promote holiday economics as the country celebrates the people power revolution every February 25th which falls on a Saturday this year.
The proclamation came in so late that others even reported for work the following day. Holiday economics aims to help the thriving tourism industry as people are given the chance to spare some money for a planned outing. However, declaring a holiday impromptu or late defies the logic of holiday economics. It rather assumes that everyone has an extra money to spend for longer nonworking days.
It also denies income for Filipinos who work on a no work, no pay arrangement thus instead of making them happy, the holiday only adds to the worry of several families. Millions of families until today are living below and just above the poverty threshold. It means living on a hand to mouth existence and denying them a day of work could mean a month of affected budgeting.
There are also businesses that thrive on day to day basis. Sudden holidays can affect their operations to the point of denying them important transactions that are necessary for their survival.
While holiday economics can create a better and sound mental health especially for the laborers, unplanned work disruptions due to holidays can work otherwise as it affects their income. Afterall, nobody can plan a break or vacation that is provided overnight.
The government should have considered the current economic climate instead before even pushing for holiday economics as it is only applicable during stable times. The whole country today is still fighting off a post-pandemic economic slowdown where the peso’s value is too small and weak. Vacation for sure is not in the list of a many who are just surviving.
