Philippine presidential palace declares August 30 a special non-working day for San Juan

Francis Zamora, Mayor of San Juan, Philippines, announced that the Presidential Office has decided to designate August 30 as a special non-working holiday in San Juan to commemorate the Battle of Pinaglabanan.

According to Presidential Proclamation No. 328, private businesses, government offices and public sectors in San Juan will all be closed, and private and public schools in the city will also be closed.

The Battle of Pinaglabanan, also known as the Battle of San Juan del Monte, took place on August 30, 1896. It is considered to be the first major battle of the Philippine Revolution, which sought the independence of the Philippines from Spain.

Under the leadership of Andres Bonifacio, Katipunan launched a campaign in San Juan del Monte, because there were two strategic locations, the El Polvorin powder depot and the El Deposito reservoir.

In order to preserve the significance of the battle, a Pinaglabanan memorial park with an area of 5 hectares was built. In May this year, the municipal government transferred three monuments of the country's national heroes to the Pinaglabanan Memorial Park to show respect and reverence.

The city government said: "With the transfer of the monuments of Rizal, Bonifasio and Jacinto to the Pinaglabanan Memorial Park, visitors can now witness and better appreciate the three masterpieces Castrillo by the Eduardo. These works are Castrillo in the interior of the Pinaglabanan Memorial Park. The 'Pinaglabananan' combines together to form an extraordinary combination of a series of 4 Castrillo sculptures. Visitors are welcome to visit."

Before being moved, the Monument to Dr. Jose Rizal is located at Plaza ng Masa, the Monument to Andres Bonifassio is located at the corner of Pinaglabanan and Valenzuela streets, and the Monument to the Jacinto of Emilio is located at the corner of Pinaglabanan and P. Narciso streets.

In addition, many groups have applied for study or sightseeing at the El Deposito underground reservoir located in Pinaglabanan Memorial Park.