MANILA: Senator Joseph Victor “JV” Ejercito on Monday stood up to bashers of Senate President Francis “Chiz” Escudero for announcing that the Senate leadership is looking into limiting public holidays to make the country’s economy “more competitive.”
During a hearing of the Committee on Local Government, which Ejercito chairs, he explained that holiday declarations should also consider balancing of interests and prioritizing which would be more beneficial to the majority.
The Senate panel was discussing various bills that seek to recognize local holiday declarations in different parts of the country.
“In declaring holidays, multiple factors must be considered. It is a balancing act between customs and economy. While a day of celebration and commemoration might appear harmless, the case might not be the same with businesses. The situation must be more difficult for our minimum daily wage earners who are in a ‘no work, no pay’ arrangement,” Ejercito explained.
The senator said the Senate president might jus
t have been misunderstood by the public, clarifying that the intent is not to reduce the existing number of holidays but just to “rationalize” them.
“Hindi naman po natin binabawasan but we are just trying to rationalize. Siguro nagkaano lang siguro na medyo mainit po ngayon ang usapan (We are not reducing it but we are just trying to rationalize. Maybe it’s just that the conversation is a bit heated),” Ejercito added.
“Gagawin po namin kung ano po ang tama. We have to balance between the economy, the business, yung survival ng ating pangunahing negosyo. Mas mabuti po na (We will do what is right. We have to balance between the economy, the business, the survival of our main business. It is better that) it will be balanced, and also what will benefit our people and our laborers,” he said.
In a recent press briefing, Escudero mentioned that the Philippines observes a month-long number of holidays annually, encompassing local, regional, and national celebrations.
With this, the Senate President said he orde
red a study on the US holiday system, which has fewer holidays, such as a single day to honor heroes and past presidents.
Source: Philippines News Agency
