Senator Risa Hontiveros said that Malacañang’s recent decision to turn Christmas Eve, New Year’s Eye and All Souls’ Day to ‘special working days’ is counterproductive for the Filipino workforce.

She urges the Palace to reconsider this decision, stating that the move has demoralized Filipino workers who were looking forward to enjoy the holidays together with their loved ones.

“While we understand the need to increase economic productivity, demoting special Filipino holidays to special working holidays will only burden and demoralize Filipino workers, many of whom are already underpaid and struggling with high prices of goods,” said Hontiveros in a statement.

“Bakit aalisin ang pagkakataon para kumita ang mga kababayan natin ng extra, ngayong marami ang hirap sa buhay?” she added.

RELATED STORY: Christmas Eve, New Year’s Eve no longer holidays in PH this 2021 – Duterte

Earlier, President Rodrigo Duterte declared Nov. 2 (All Souls Day), Dec. 24 (Christmas Eve) and Dec. 31 (New Year’s Eve) for 2021 as “special working days” through Proclamation No. 1107, as part of the country’s efforts to help the economy recover from the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Hontiveros stressed that these days are important for Filipino families and suggested for the Duterte administration to convert other non-working holidays instead.

“May iba namang mga special non-working holiday na pwedeng galawin… Dapat understood na non-negotiable ang mga petsang ito,” said Hontiveros.

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