Philippine Embassy Closed on Dec. 25 and 26

JEDDAH, 23 December 2004 — The Philippine Embassy in Riyadh and Consulate in Jeddah will both be closed on Dec. 25 in observance of a regular Philippine holiday.

Consul Germinia A. Usudan said the embassy will also be closed on Dec. 26, and normal business hours will resume on Dec. 27.

Dec. 26 is a special holiday as provided for under Proclamation No. 750 issued by Malaca?ang Palace in Manila.

Nonetheless, the consulate in Jeddah will resume normal business hours on Dec. 26, said outgoing Labor Attaché Nasser Munder, who was contacted by Arab News.

According to the government’s official website (http://www.gov.ph/faqs/labor_holiday.asp), the Philippines has 11 regular holidays each year.

These are:

1. New Year — Jan. 1

2. Maundy Thursday — Movable date

3. Good Friday — Movable Date

4. Araw ng Kagitingan — April 9

5. Labor Day — May 1

6. Independence Day — June 12

7. National Heroes Day — Last Sunday of August

8. Bonifacio Day — Nov. 30

9. Eid Al-Fitr — Movable date

10. Christmas Day — Dec. 25.

11. Rizal Day — Dec. 30