Declaring January 2, 2004 a special Working Holiday Throughout the Country for the Observance of the Beginning of a New Year According to the Chinese Lunar Calendar.

PROCLAMATION No. 532

DECLARING JANUARY 2, 2004 A SPECIAL WORKING HOLIDAY THROUGHOUT THE COUNTRY FOR THE OBSERVANCE OF THE BEGINNING OF A NEW YEAR ACCORDING TO THE CHINESE LUNAR CALENDAR

WHEREAS, the second new moon after the winter solstice marks the beginning of the new year according to the Chinese lunar candendar, and has been determined to occur on January 22, 2004;

WHEREAS, to promote cultual understanding and integration, the entire Filipino nation should have the opportunity to join all Chinese-Filipinos in observing and celebrating the Chinese lunar new year.

NOW, THEREFORE, I GLORIA MACAPAGAL-ARROYO, President of the Republic of the Philippines, by virtue of the powers vested in me by law, do hereby declare January 22, 2004 a special working holiday throughout the country.

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand and caused the seal of the Republic of the Philippines to be affixed.

City of Manila, Janutay 16, 2004

[SEAL]

(Sgd.)GLORIA MACAPAGAL-ARROYO
President

By the President:

(Sgd.)ALBERTO G. ROMULO
Executive Secretary

Proclamation No. 532

- Declares January 22, 2004 as a special working holiday throughout the Philippines.
- The purpose is to observe and celebrate the beginning of the new year according to the Chinese lunar calendar.
- The new moon after the winter solstice marks the beginning of the new year in the Chinese lunar calendar, which occurred on January 22, 2004.
- This proclamation aims to promote cultural understanding and integration by allowing all Filipinos to join Chinese-Filipinos in observing and celebrating the Chinese lunar new year.