MANILA - The Philippine government announced Monday in the newly released proclamation on holidays that the Chinese Spring Festival in January, 2014 will be a special non-working day in the country.

Philippine presidential spokesperson Edwin Lacierda in a news briefing said that President Benigno S Aquino III signed Proclamation No 655 outlining the regular holidays, special non-working days, and special holiday for the year of 2014.

According to the schedule, Jan 31, which falls on a Friday, was included in the special non-working days as a Chinese New Year.

On this day, the Proclamation says, "the Chinese nationals all over the world will celebrate Spring Festival, popularly known as the Chinese New Year, which is one of the most revered and festive events celebrated not only in China but also in the Philippines by both Chinese-Filipinos and ordinary Filipinos as well."

"The joint celebration is a manifestation of our solidarity with our Chinese-Filipino brethren who have been part of our lives in many respects as a country and as a people," it adds.

Including the Chinese New Year, there will be seven special non-working days for 2014, 12 regular holidays, and one special holiday for all walks of life in the Philippines.