Ramadan Not a Holiday — Palace Clarifies Confusion Over February 19
Malacañang has stepped in to clear up confusion surrounding February 19, 2026 — the first day of Ramadan — clarifying that it is NOT a regular or special non-working holiday for all Filipinos. Presidential Communications Office (PCO) spokesperson Claire Castro confirmed on Tuesday that while Ramadan is a deeply significant religious observance for Muslim Filipinos, the start of the holy month does not automatically translate into a public holiday for the entire country.
Ang kalituhan ay nagsimula nang magkalat ng mga post sa social media na nagpapahiwatig na ang Pebrero 19 ay holiday para sa lahat. Many workers and students had reportedly begun making plans based on the mistaken assumption that it was a nationwide day off. The Palace moved swiftly to correct the record, saying only certain regions and local government units with special proclamations may observe it as a holiday.
Under Philippine law, the regular non-working holidays for Muslim Filipinos — such as Eid'l Fitr (end of Ramadan) and Eid'l Adha — are gazetted as national special non-working days or regular holidays only upon a specific proclamation from the Office of the President. The first day of Ramadan itself is not among the fixed national holidays listed under Republic Act 9177 or the annual official holiday proclamation.
However, local government units in predominantly Muslim areas — particularly in the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM) — may declare the day as a local holiday within their jurisdiction. Workers and students in those regions may be excused from regular duties, but this does not apply nationwide. Kaya naman, ang mga empleyado sa Metro Manila at ibang lugar sa Luzon at Visayas ay may pasok pa rin ngayong araw.
The Palace also took the opportunity to express support for Muslim Filipinos observing the holy month. 'We recognize and respect the importance of Ramadan for our Muslim brothers and sisters. The government is committed to ensuring that Muslim employees in the public sector are given the necessary accommodation to observe their religious duties during this sacred time,' the spokesperson said. Government agencies with significant Muslim workforce populations are encouraged to make reasonable arrangements to support fasting employees throughout the 30-day Ramadan period.
Source: Philstar
