An economically challenged country like the Philippines has more nonworking holidays (NWHs) than other countries. Holidays amplify the suffering not only of factories that need to pay their employees double, but more so for people in no-work, no-pay jobs.
According to Raul Palabrica (“Overdose of holidays,” 3/12/18), the Philippines has 21 annual nonworking holidays compared with Malaysia (14), Thailand (17), and Vietnam (12). This could be the reason
why the economy of Vietnam was able to overtake the Philippines. Making the situation worse is the fact that many bills pending in Congress are proposals for NWHs like Pacquiao/Sport, Cory Aquino, and Iglesia ni Cristo holidays, among others.
NWHs mean less production for Philippine industries and less income for our impoverished daily wage workers. I hope our lawmakers will reduce our NWHs to make the Philippines richer like our neighboring countries.
ERNESTO Z. MEDINA, asiadetectives@yahoo.com