Employees can now plan out and allocate their vacation leaves with the release of the list of holidays for 2021. As indicated in Proclamation No. 986 declaring the regular holidays and special (nonworking) days, Filipinos can look forward to some 20 official red-letter days next year.

The 10 regular holidays in 2021 are New Year’s Day, Jan. 1; Maundy Thursday, April 1; Good Friday, April 2; Araw ng Kagitingan, April 9; Labor Day, May 1; Independence Day, June 12; National Heroes’ Day, Aug. 30; Bonifacio Day, Nov. 30; Christmas Day, Dec. 25; and Rizal Day, Dec. 30.

The special nonworking days are Chinese New Year, Feb. 12; Edsa People Power Anniversary, Feb. 25; Black Saturday, April 3; Ninoy Aquino Day, Aug. 21; All Saints’ Day, Nov. 1; and Feast of the Immaculate Conception of Mary, Dec. 8. Dec. 31, as the last day of the year, is also a special nonworking day in the Philippines.

Also among the special nonworking days in 2021 are All Souls’ Day on Nov. 2 and Christmas Eve.

Separate proclamations declaring national holidays for the observance of Eid’l Fitr and Eid’l Adha will be issued in 2021 when their exact dates have been determined. The National Commission on Muslim Filipinos will advise Malacañang of the actual dates on which these holidays will fall.