Another long weekend: July 17 a holiday for Eid'l Fitr

Metro Manila (CNN Philippines) — Another long weekend is set for next week.

Malacañan announced on Thursday (July 9) that Eid'l Fitr — which would fall on next Friday (July 17) — has been declared as a regular holiday so that the whole country can join the Muslim world in celebrating the end of Ramadan.

This developed after President Benigno Aquino III signed on Monday (July 6) Proclamation No. 1070 to enable Filipino non-Muslims to have "the full opportunity to join their Muslim brothers and sisters in peace and harmony."

Eid'l Fitr is celebrated by Muslims for three days after the end of a monthlong fasting period which began last June 18.

Classes in all levels are suspended on regular holidays and employees who report for work are to be paid more than the overtime rate (regular hourly rate + 25% of regular hourly rate).