Malacañang has declared Sept. 12 as a special non-working holiday in Ilocos Norte in celebration of the 105th birth anniversary of the late strongman Ferdinand Marcos Sr., father of President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr.

In a letter on Thursday, Atty. Concepcion Zeny E. Ferrolino-Enad, Director IV of the Malacanang Records Office, informed Ilocos Norte Governor Matthew Joseph Manotoc that through Proclamation 53 of the Office of the President, Sept. 12, 2022, is declared a special non-working holiday in the province.

Last Aug. 22, members of the Sangguniang Panlalawigan of Ilocos Norte requested the declaration of the holiday on Sept. 12 in lieu of the birth anniversary of the older Marcos on Sept. 11 which falls on a Sunday.

The Palace recognized the need to enable Ilocanos to celebrate the occasion since Marcos Day is being celebrated annually in the province with or without a special holiday declaration.

Ilocos Norte 2nd District Representative Angelo Marcos Barba, who just arrived at the Laoag International Airport on Thursday with members of the Side A band who will perform on Saturday at the Laoag Centennial Arena, said he is hoping that the “Marcos Day” bill which he co-sponsored during his first term will soon have a Senate counterpart measure to be approved into law so that Ilocos Norte will no longer have to undergo the tedious process of requesting Malacanang every year to proclaim a special non-working holiday.

As an annual tribute to the “Apo Lakay,” various local government units here including other government agencies and schools have prepared various activities to commemorate his legacy.

Among the regular mainstay of the Marcos Day celebration are an all-veggie cooking showdown at the Ferdinand E. Marcos Museum Complex, a debate cup, and a literary and musical competition to be participated in by various schools in the province. (PNA)