PRESIDENT Rodrigo Duterte has declared September 11, Monday, as special non-working day in the province of Ilocos Norte, in observance of the birth anniversary of the late President Ferdinand Marcos.
Duterte issued Proclamation 310, which was signed by Executive Secretary Salvador Medialdea on September 6 on his behalf.
The proclamation said the Ilocano community should be given the opportunity to commemorate Marcos' "life and contributions to national development as a World War II veteran, distinguished legislator, and former president."
"It is fitting and proper that the people of the Province of Ilocos Norte be given full opportunity to celebrate and participate in the occasion with appropriate ceremonies," it read.
Duterte has been very vocal about his close ties with the Marcos family.
His presidency has allowed the late dictator to be given hero's burial, 27 years after his death.
The Supreme Court ruled on November 8, 2016, to allow Marcos, who died in exile in Hawaii in 1989, to be interred at the heroes' cemetery.
The remains of Marcos was transferred to the Libingan ng mga Bayani in Taguig City from the Marcos Museum and Mausoleum in Batac, Ilocos Norte on November 18, 2016, ten days after the high court released its decision. (VoxPop Philippines)
