Palace declares March 20, 2026, as Regular Holiday for Eid’l Fitr

Palace declares March 20, 2026, as Regular Holiday for Eid’l Fitr

Malacañang has officially declared Friday, March 20, 2026, as a regular holiday throughout the country in observance of Eid’l Fitr (Feast of Ramadhan).

President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. made the announcement on Thursday during the Grand Iftar at Malacañang Palace, where he joined Muslim community leaders to break the fast. The declaration was confirmed by Presidential Communications Office (PCO) Undersecretary and Palace Press Officer Claire Castro.

Key Highlights of the Declaration:

 * Significance: The holiday marks the end of the holy month of Ramadan, a period of prayer, reflection, and fasting for the Muslim community.

 * National Observance: As a regular holiday, the declaration applies nationwide, allowing both Muslim and non-Muslim Filipinos to join in the cultural significance of the "Festival of Breaking the Fast."

 * Economic Impact: Under Philippine labor laws, employees who work on a regular holiday are entitled to 200% of their daily wage for the first eight hours.

 "The declaration recognizes the significance of Eid’l Fitr... The Palace extends its greetings to the Muslim community in the Philippines and around the world as they prepare to celebrate with their families," Castro said in a statement.

The specific date of Eid’l Fitr is determined annually based on the Islamic lunar calendar and the sighting of the crescent moon, as recommended by the National Commission on Muslim Filipinos (NCMF).

With this announcement, Filipinos can expect a long weekend starting Friday, March 20, providing an opportunity for travel and family gatherings.

Students and teachers in public schools nationwide are set to enjoy a break as Friday, March 20, 2026, is a Regular Holiday.

The holiday, in observance of Eid’l Fitr (the end of Ramadan), provides a timely three-day long weekend for the education sector just as the academic year enters its final stretch.

While much of the recent news has focused on the 4-day workweek for government agencies, it has been clarified that public schools are not covered by that compressed schedule. Teachers and students are still required to maintain their standard 5-day school week.

However, when March 20 will be declared as a national holiday:
• No Classes: All public elementary and secondary schools will have no classes.
• School Operations: Administrative work in schools is also suspended.
• Final Push: This serves as the last major breather before the official end of the school year on March 31, 2026.

Since public school personnel are not included in the flexible 4-day workweek implementation, this Friday holiday offers a universal day of rest.

With Friday, March 20, 2026, when declared a Regular Holiday for Eid’l Fitr, students and teachers will enjoy a nationwide break without the confusion of a compressed schedule during the critical final days of the school year.

While other government agencies transition to a 4-day setup starting tomorrow, March 9, the decision to keep schools on a regular 5-day track is seen as a practical move. Here’s why:

• Consistency: Maintaining the 5-day week prevents the overcrowding of lessons into longer, more exhausting school days.

 • Academic Finish Line: With the school year ending on March 31, a steady schedule ensures all competencies are met before graduation rites.

 • The "Holiday Bonus": When March 20 will be declared a holiday, those in the 5-day school system get a natural "4-day week" next week anyway, without the added stress of adjusted school hours.

The Road to School Year’s End

With the school year concluding on March 31, educators are reminded to utilize the days following the long weekend to finalize grades and prepare for end-of-school-year rites.

Whether you are finishing up your Budget of Work (BOW) or preparing for graduation, this coming Friday is your chance to recharge before the finish line.