MALACAÑANG has declared on March 20, 2026, a regular holiday nationwide, in observance of Eid al-Fitr, or the Feast marking the end of Ramadan.
This follows the recommendation of the National Commission on Muslim Filipinos (NCMF), which proposed Friday, March 20, or Saturday, March 21, subject to the sighting of the moon.
Proclamation No. 1189 stated the declaration of holiday is “to bring the religious and cultural significance of the Eid al-Fitr to the fore of national consciousness.”
It added that the proclamation is to “allow the entire Filipino nation to join their Muslim brothers and sisters in peace and harmony in the observance and celebration of Eid al-Fitr.”
Acting Executive Secretary Ralph Recto signed the proclamation on March 12.
Eid al-Fitr, the first of two canonical festivals of Islam, the other being Eid al-Adha.
Eid al-Fitr marks the end of Ramadan, the Muslim holy month of fasting, and is celebrated during the first three days of Shawwāl, the 10th month of the Islamic calendar.
To note, Ramadan 1447 Hijrah started on Thursday, Feb. 19, 2026.
This was after the moon was not sighted during the sighting activity on Feb. 17, conducted by the NCMF, in coordination with the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM), Darul Ifta, and various Ulama groups.
During the month, Muslims observing Ramadan will refrain from eating and drinking from dawn to dusk, typically for a period of 12 to 15 hours.
