The Philippines has 18 declared public holidays in 2026 — 10 regular holidays and 8 special (non-working) days — plus two Islamic holidays (Eid'l Fitr and Eid'l Adha) proclaimed separately once their dates are confirmed. The two classifications matter for payroll: regular holidays are paid even when unworked, while special (non-working) days follow a "no work, no pay" rule. Below is the official list with dates, the day of the week, and the type of each holiday.
Holiday calendar 2026
| Date | Day | Holiday | Holiday Type |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 Jan | Thursday | New Year's Day | Regular Holiday |
| 17 Feb | Tuesday | Chinese New Year | Special (Non-Working) |
| 2 Apr | Thursday | Maundy Thursday | Regular Holiday |
| 3 Apr | Friday | Good Friday | Regular Holiday |
| 4 Apr | Saturday | Black Saturday | Special (Non-Working) |
| 9 Apr | Thursday | Araw ng Kagitingan (Day of Valor) | Regular Holiday |
| 1 May | Friday | Labor Day | Regular Holiday |
| 12 Jun | Friday | Independence Day | Regular Holiday |
| 21 Aug | Friday | Ninoy Aquino Day | Special (Non-Working) |
| 31 Aug | Monday | National Heroes Day | Regular Holiday |
| 1 Nov | Sunday | All Saints' Day | Special (Non-Working) |
| 2 Nov | Monday | All Souls' Day | Special (Non-Working) |
| 30 Nov | Monday | Bonifacio Day | Regular Holiday |
| 8 Dec | Tuesday | Feast of the Immaculate Conception | Special (Non-Working) |
| 24 Dec | Thursday | Christmas Eve | Special (Non-Working) |
| 25 Dec | Friday | Christmas Day | Regular Holiday |
| 30 Dec | Wednesday | Rizal Day | Regular Holiday |
| 31 Dec | Thursday | Last Day of the Year | Special (Non-Working) |
How Philippines Holidays Impact Payroll and Leave Management?
Every region, and country, operates differently when it comes to Public Holidays. When we talk about Holy Week in the Philippines, it feels like a grand celebration - people are on leave and enjoying their personal time. All this is bound to bring changes in attendance, increased leave requests, and varied working arrangements which impacts payroll accuracy and leave processes for both employers and employees.
While all of these issues can impact adversely, if enterprises are well-prepared and rely on technology instead of human intervention; it will help in aligning pay cycles, overtime, and statutory requirements without disruption. This not just eases processes for the employer but aids employees while providing clarity on leave entitlements, pay calculations, and timely compensation during a high-expectation period.