(UPDATE) PRESIDENT Ferdinand Marcos Jr. issued a series of proclamations declaring special non-working holidays in several cities and municipalities nationwide for November and December 2024.

At the same time, the President declared November 4 this year as a national day of mourning in honor of the lives lost and the families affected by the severe tropical storm Kristine (international name: Trami).

Marcos said the national day of mourning was declared “in solidarity with the bereaved families and loved ones of those who perished in the devastation” brought by Kristine.

“The nation deeply mourns this tragic loss and joins the families and loved ones of our deceased brothers and sisters in this moment of immense sadness,” the president said in the proclamation.

As required by law, Marcos said flags will be at half-staff from sunrise to sunset as a tribute to those lost in one of the deadliest typhoons to hit the nation this year.

“The entire nation is requested to offer prayers for the eternal repose of the souls of the victims,” ​​he added.

Kristine, which has a reported death toll of 150, hit the Philippines last October, bringing torrential rains, floods and landslides that caused widespread devastation across the country.

Meanwhile, special non-working days are November 8 – Tanay, Rizal (Proclamation 725); Nov 12 – City of Valenzuela (Proclamation 711); Nov 15 – Oriental Mindoro (Proclamation 712); November 15 – Borongan City, Eastern Samar (Proclamation 726); November 22 – Palayan City, Nueva Ecija (Proclamation 713); Nov 22 – Itogon, Benguet (Proclamation 715); Nov 22 – Tublay, Benguet (Proclamation 716); Nov 23 – Benguet Province (Proclamation 717); Nov 25 – Marasugan, Davao de Oro (Proclamation 718); Nov 26 – City of Dasmariñas, Cavite (Proclamation 719); Nov 28 – Sarangani Province (Proclamation 720); November 28 – Piñan, Zamboanga del Norte (Proclamation 721); and December 5 – Palayan City, Nueva Ecija (Proclamation 714).

The President has also declared the second week of October every year as “National Myopia Awareness Week” to raise awareness about the dangers of this eye disease.

“Myopia or myopia is a refractive error in which light rays entering the eye parallel to the optic axis are focused in front of the retina when the ocular accommodation is relaxed,” Marcos said in the proclamation.

“There is a need to promote public awareness of the dangers of myopia and recognize the importance of myopia prevention and control to encourage a healthier lifestyle among Filipinos,” he added.

Marcos cited the World Health Organization-Brien Holden Vision Institute report on the rapid worldwide increase in myopia.

The President said that there is a forecast that by 2030 and 2050, approximately 3.36 billion and 4.8 billion people respectively will be affected, increasing the risk of vision impairment due to conditions such as retinal damage, cataracts, glaucoma and myopic macular degeneration.

The President hereby directs the Department of Health (DoH) and the Professional Regulation Commission (PRC) and its Optometry Council to lead the annual celebration of National Myopia Awareness Week.

All other government offices, including state universities and colleges, local government units and the private sector, are urged to actively participate and support the DoH and PRC in its programs.

Marcos also declared October 19 of every year as “Transportation Cooperatives Day” to highlight the sector’s contribution to the promotion of public transportation.

Pursuant to Proclamation 723, the President directed the Department of Transportation, the Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board, and the Bureau of Transportation Cooperatives to conduct annual compliance.

“Over the years, transport cooperatives have played a significant role in promoting government-cooperative collaboration in the sector, empowering communities and promoting public transport, as highlighted in the success of the Public Transport Modernization Programme,” said Marcos.

“There is a need to recognize the significant contributions of transport co-operatives in ensuring the progress of the TCP (Transport Co-operative Programme) and in providing meaningful and responsive services to the transport sector as well as agencies, institutions and individuals,” he said. added.

All government agencies and instrumentalities, including government-owned and controlled corporations, government financial institutions, and state universities and colleges, are urged to participate and assist the Department of Transportation to ensure the success of the activities marking Transportation Cooperative Day.

Local government units, non-governmental organizations and the private sector are encouraged to support the celebration of the event.

Meanwhile, the month of December every year was declared the “Philippine Architecture Festival-National Architecture Month” under Proclamation 724.

According to the proclamation, Marcos ordered the Architecture Board of the Professional Regulation Commission to lead the celebration of the Philippine Architecture Festival-National Architecture Month in coordination with accredited architectural organizations.

In 1971, Proclamation 934 was issued to declare the second week of December as “Architecture Week” to draw attention to the invaluable contribution of architects to planned urban growth, environmental planning and general social progress.

Marcos cited the need to amend Proclamation 934 and signed Proclamation 724, which expands the observance of Architecture Week to a month-long celebration “to provide an expanded platform to promote the discipline, recognize the contributions of Filipino architects, and highlight the role of architecture in urban planning, sustainability and social progress.”

“The Philippines, renowned for its rich architectural heritage and vibrant contemporary designs, is a key player in the global architectural arena by preserving cultural heritage and promoting sustainable design practices,” the President said.

The president published a list of regular holidays for 2025 on Thursday.