Expect Unpredictability

Businessmen from developed countries are used to knowing a country's holidays before a new year starts. In the Philippines, expect holidays to be changed a few days before the previously announced day. Philippines' Independence Day is on 12 June. On 28 May, the government announced that the holiday for Independence Day would be 9 June, while celebrations will be held on 12 June. The government made a proclamation earlier in the year that allows the President to move the observance of national holidays that fall within the middle of the week to the nearest Monday. Only May 1, Labor Day, is not covered by this law. However, exactly WHEN the President makes the decision is not prescribed. For all we know, she can declare it one day before the new holiday. Go plan your meetings, your schedules for shipping, your staff deployment, and then forget about them.