Marcos Declares 15 Local Holidays for March — From Davao's Araw ng Pasasalamat to Masbate's 125th Anniversary
If you're in certain parts of the Philippines, March is about to get a lot more festive. President Marcos has declared 15 local holidays for March 2026, marking founding anniversaries, festivals, and special events across the country. The proclamations were signed by Executive Secretary Ralph Recto and published on the Official Gazette.
Leading the list is Davao City, which celebrates its Araw ng Pasasalamat in relation to the 89th Araw ng Davao on March 16. The entire Province of Masbate gets March 18 off for its 125th Founding Anniversary — a milestone that few provinces have reached. Other celebrations include Tanauan, Batangas' 25th Cityhood Anniversary on March 10 and Tabaco, Albay's 25th cityhood celebration on March 24.
Mountain Province gets two separate holidays: Tadian celebrates the Ayyoweng Di Lambak Ed Tadian Festival on March 6, while Bauko marks its Begnas di Bauko Festival on March 13. Zamboanga del Norte's Gutalac municipality also gets March 6 off for its 47th Araw ng Gutalac.
The proclamations also cover Passi City in Iloilo (March 14), Pangasinan's Aguilar municipality for its Ansakket Festival (March 16), Tayug in Pangasinan (March 17), Kawayan in Biliran (March 17), Norala in South Cotabato (March 10), Lugait in Misamis Oriental (March 16), and Canlaon in Negros Oriental for the Pasayaw Festival (March 19).
For workers in these areas, it's time to plan those long weekends. Local holidays are special non-working days, meaning employees who work get extra pay, and those who don't get the day off. Fifteen holidays in one month? March is shaping up to be the most festive month of 2026 so far. Lucky you, kung taga-doon ka!
Source: The Manila Times
