The Eid’l Fitr celebrations in the Philippines will officially commence on Saturday, March 21, the government announced.
The National Commission on Muslim Filipinos (NCMF) said that based on the results of Hilal (the Moon)-sighting activities on Thursday, it has decided to declare March 21 as the start of Eid’l Fitr 1447 Hijrah.
NCMF said that its adjustment was in coordination with the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao Darul Ifta, various Ulama groups, as well as the Philippine Atmospheric Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration.
The entire Philippines, however, has started its Eid’l Fitr celebrations today following President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.’s issuance of Proclamation No. 1189 declaring March 20 as a regular holiday.
As such, government offices, schools and banks are closed. Private offices and shops that choose to open their businesses today must pay its workers twice their daily wages as per Philippine labor laws.
Marcos said his declaration is aimed at allowing the entire nation to join Muslim Filipinos in the celebration.
There are approximately seven million Muslims among 120 million Filipinos, comprising 6.42% of the entire population. # (Raymund B. Villanueva)
