MANILA - Local businessmen scored the Arroyo government for not giving them enough time to prepare for another non-working holiday.

Only last Friday, Malacanang declared  September 7 a national non-working holiday so members of the Iglesia ni Cristo (INC) can pay their last respects to their late leader, Bro. Erano "Ka Erdy" Manalo. Manalo died of cardiopulmonary arrest last September 1.

According to the Philippine Chamber of Commerce and Industry (PCCI), the country's largest business group, the government's sudden holiday declaration made it more costly for companies to operate since they have to pay holiday premiums for their employees.

"Production cost usually doubles during holidays because of the higher pay for employees," PCCI President Edgardo Lacson said.

The Makati Business Club (MBC) also questioned Malacañang's recent holiday declaration, saying that it was merely a "political move." The MBC said the government should have limited the holiday to Quezon City only since most INC events are concentrated there.

Earlier this year, the MBC welcomed the government's early announcement of the list of holidays for 2009. According to MBC Executive Director Alberto Lim, this will reduce costs for local businessmen as they will be able to adjust work schedules in advance.

Last Christmas eve, President Arroyo signed Proclamation 1699, which laid out the holiday schedule this year.

The regular holidays are: 

Labor Day-May 1 (Friday); 
Independence Day- June 12 (Friday); 
National Heroes Day- August 31 (Monday), last Monday of August; 
Bonifacio Day - November 30 (Monday);
Christmas Day- December 25 (Friday); and Rizal Day- December 30 (Wednesday).

Arroyo also declared the following as special non-working days: 

Ninoy Aquino Day - August 21 (Friday); 
All Saints Day - November 1 (Sunday) and All Soul’s Day - November 2 (Monday); 
Christmas Eve - December 24 (Thursday); and, 
New Year’s Eve - December 31 (Thursday).

The president has long been implementing holiday economics to boost domestic tourism and allow Filipinos to have more time with their families. In 2008, Malacanang made a last-minute decision to declare an 11-day break from December 25 to January 2.