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

At the same time, the President declared November 4 this year a national day of mourning in honor of the lives lost and families affected by 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 due to the devastation” brought by Kristine.

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

As required by law, Marcos said flags would be flown at half-mast from sunrise to sunset in honor of those who died in one of the deadliest storms to hit the country this year.

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

Kristine, whose death toll stands at 150, hit the Philippines last October, triggering torrential rains, floods and landslides that caused widespread damage across the country.

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

The President also declared the second week of October each 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 rays of light entering the eye parallel to the optical axis are focused in front of the retina when ocular accommodation is relaxed,” Marcos said in the proclamation.

“It is necessary to raise public awareness about the dangers of myopia and recognize the importance of myopia prevention and control in order to encourage healthier lifestyle habits among Filipinos,” he added.

Marcos cited the World Health Organization’s Brien Holden Vision Institute report on the rapid increase in myopia globally.

The President said it was predicted that by 2030 and 2050, approximately 3.36 billion and 4.8 billion people, respectively, would be affected, increasing the risk of visual impairment due to conditions such as lesions retinal diseases, cataracts, glaucoma and myopic macular degeneration.

With this, the President directed the Department of Health (DoH), the Professional Regulation Commission (PRC) and its Board of Optometry to spearhead the annual celebration of National Myopia Awareness Week.

All other government departments, including state universities and colleges, local government units, and the private sector, are encouraged to actively participate and support the Ministry of Health and the PRC in its programs.

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

Under Proclamation 723, the President directed the Department of Transportation, the Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board, and the Bureau of Transportation Cooperatives to lead the annual celebration.

“Over the years, transport cooperatives have played an important role in promoting collaboration between government and the cooperative sector, empowering communities and advancing public transport, as highlighted by the success of the modernization of public transportation,” Marcos said.

“It is necessary to recognize the significant contributions of transport cooperatives to ensure the advancement of the TCP (Transport Cooperative Program) and to provide meaningful and adapted services to the transport sector, as well as to agencies, institutions and individuals”, a he declared. added.

All government agencies and instrumentalities, including government owned and controlled corporations, government financial institutions and state universities and colleges, are invited to participate and assist the Ministry of Transportation in ensuring the success of the activities marking the Day of transport cooperatives.

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

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

Under the proclamation, Marcos directed the Architectural Council 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 “Architecture Week” to draw attention to the invaluable contribution of architects to planned urban growth, environmental planning and design. social progress in general.

Marcos cited the need to amend Proclamation 934 and signed Proclamation 724, which expands the celebration of Architecture Week to a month-long celebration “to provide a broad 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, stands as a key player in the global architectural scene through the preservation of cultural heritage and the promotion of sustainable design practices,” the President said.

On Thursday, the president released a list of regular holidays for 2025.