BETTER mark your calendars, quick!

Malacanang this early has declared April 7 (Saturday), November 2 (Friday) and December 24 (Monday) as special non-working days, and June 11 (Monday) as non-working holiday instead of June 12, which is a regular holiday.

April 7 falls between Good Friday and Easter Sunday. Declaring it as special non-working day “will give the people full and uninterrupted opportunity to ponder on the significance of the Holy Week,” Proclamation No. 1211 signed by President Arroyo on January 10 said.

While June 11 is a non-working day, Independence Day celebrations shall still be observed on June 12.

A non-working day on November 2 will give the people more time to observe All Saints’ Day, the presidential order declared.

“In order to enable our countrymen to have a more meaningful observance of Christmas and to give them greater opportunities to strengthen their ties with one another, it is fitting to declare December 24 as special non-working day,” the proclamation said. (DOS/PIA)