Yes. August 31, 2026 is a regular holiday in the Philippines.
National Heroes Day, or Araw ng mga Bayani, is observed every year on the last Monday of August.
In 2026, it falls on Monday, August 31, giving many workers and students a three-day weekend from Saturday to Monday.
The holiday is officially included in the Philippine government’s list of regular holidays for 2026 under Proclamation No. 1006.
Here is what employees, commuters, families, and businesses should know before the holiday.
National Heroes Day 2026 at a Glance
| Item | Details |
|---|---|
| Holiday | National Heroes Day |
| Filipino name | Araw ng mga Bayani |
| Date | August 31, 2026 |
| Day | Monday |
| Holiday type | Regular Holiday |
| Nationwide? | Yes |
| Work pay | Regular holiday pay rules apply |
Is August 31, 2026 a Holiday in the Philippines?
Yes.
August 31, 2026 is officially declared a regular holiday throughout the Philippines for National Heroes Day.
It is different from a special non-working day because regular holidays have different wage rules for covered private-sector employees.
The Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) has also reminded employers to observe the proper pay rules for National Heroes Day.
Why Does the Philippines Celebrate National Heroes Day?
National Heroes Day honors Filipinos who contributed to the country’s freedom, independence, and development.
The observance is not limited to one individual hero.
Instead, it recognizes both well-known national heroes and many other Filipinos who made sacrifices for the country.
Because National Heroes Day is observed on the last Monday of August, its exact date changes from year to year.
For 2026, that date is August 31.
National Heroes Day 2026 Pay Rules
Because August 31 is a regular holiday, the regular holiday wage rules apply to covered employees in the private sector.
If You Do Not Work
Eligible employees who do not work on the regular holiday are generally entitled to:
100% of their daily wage
There are conditions regarding attendance or paid leave on the workday immediately before the holiday.
If the day before the holiday is already a rest day or a non-working day at the company, eligibility may depend on whether the employee worked or was on paid leave on the preceding workday.
DOLE’s 2026 guidance confirms these rules.
Example
If your basic daily wage is ₱700:
No work on the regular holiday = ₱700
assuming you meet the applicable holiday-pay conditions.
If You Work on August 31
If you work during the regular holiday, you are entitled to:
200% of your basic daily wage for the first eight hours
For example:
Daily wage: ₱700
₱700 × 200% = ₱1,400
So an eligible employee who works eight hours on National Heroes Day would receive ₱1,400 in basic holiday pay for that day.
DOLE specifically states that employees who work on a regular holiday should receive 200% of their basic wage for the first eight hours.
What If National Heroes Day Is Also Your Rest Day?
If the regular holiday also falls on your scheduled rest day and you are required to work, the applicable rate is:
Basic wage × 200% × 130%
Using a ₱700 daily wage as an example:
₱700 × 2 × 1.30 = ₱1,820
So the basic pay for eight hours would be ₱1,820.
What About Overtime?
Employees who work more than eight hours during a regular holiday are entitled to additional overtime compensation.
For an ordinary regular holiday, DOLE gives the overtime formula as:
Hourly rate × 200% × 130% × overtime hours
If the regular holiday also falls on the employee’s rest day, an additional rest-day premium applies.
Employees should check their payslip or speak with their HR department if they are unsure how their holiday pay was calculated.
Are Government Offices Open on August 31?
Most regular government offices are expected to be closed because National Heroes Day is a nationwide regular holiday.
Essential services may continue operating.
If you are planning to visit an office such as the:
- NBI
- LTO
- SSS
- PhilHealth
- Pag-IBIG
- Bureau of Immigration
- Local government office
it is safer to complete your transaction before the holiday or check the agency’s latest advisory.
Online government services may remain accessible even when physical offices are closed.
Are Banks Open on National Heroes Day?
Most regular bank branches are generally closed on nationwide regular holidays.
However, services such as:
- ATMs
- Mobile banking
- Online banking
- InstaPay
- PESONet
- Card payments
may still be available depending on the bank and payment network.
Some transactions submitted during the holiday may only be processed on the next banking day.
Always check your bank’s official holiday advisory if you have an important transaction.
Are Malls and Restaurants Open?
National Heroes Day does not automatically mean malls, supermarkets, restaurants, cinemas, and private businesses will close.
Many malls and restaurants remain open during Philippine holidays, although operating hours may change.
Check the official Facebook page or website of the specific mall, restaurant, supermarket, or attraction you plan to visit.
Will There Be Classes on August 31?
Because August 31 is a nationwide regular holiday, regular classes are generally suspended.
However, students and parents should still check announcements from their school, university, or local government, particularly for activities that may have special schedules.
Three-Day Weekend in August 2026
National Heroes Day falls on a Monday in 2026.
That means many people with a standard Monday-to-Friday schedule will have:
Saturday, August 29
Sunday, August 30
Monday, August 31
as a three-day weekend.
Expect popular destinations near Metro Manila and other major cities to become busier than usual.
Travelers may want to book transportation and accommodation early.
What Is the Next Philippine Holiday After National Heroes Day?
After August 31, the next nationwide special non-working days listed for 2026 include:
- November 1 — All Saints’ Day
- November 2 — All Souls’ Day
The next regular holiday is:
- November 30 — Bonifacio Day
These dates are included in the official 2026 holiday proclamation.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is August 31, 2026 a regular holiday?
Yes. National Heroes Day on August 31, 2026 is a regular holiday nationwide.
Do employees get double pay?
Employees who work during the regular holiday are generally entitled to 200% of their basic wage for the first eight hours, subject to applicable labor rules.
Do I get paid if I don’t work?
Eligible employees may receive 100% of their basic daily wage even if they do not work, subject to the attendance and leave conditions applicable to regular holiday pay.
Are banks closed?
Most regular bank branches are typically closed during nationwide regular holidays. Check your bank’s specific advisory before visiting.
Are malls open?
Many malls remain open, but they may use holiday operating hours.
Is There Work on August 31, 2026?
It depends on your employer.
August 31, 2026 is a regular holiday nationwide, but this does not mean that all private businesses are required to close.
Some companies, BPOs, malls, restaurants, hotels, hospitals, and other businesses may remain open. Employees who are required to work are generally entitled to the applicable regular holiday pay rate.
Government offices are generally closed, except for essential and frontline services.
If you are unsure whether you need to report for work, check your employer’s official holiday schedule.
Is Number Coding Suspended on August 31, 2026?
Number coding in Metro Manila is expected to be suspended on August 31, 2026, because National Heroes Day is an official regular holiday.
The MMDA normally suspends the Expanded Number Coding Scheme (UVVRP) during official holidays, including National Heroes Day.
This means vehicles that would normally be affected by Monday coding restrictions are expected to be allowed to travel without number coding restrictions on August 31.
However, motorists should still check the latest MMDA advisory before traveling in case of special traffic arrangements or changes.
Local traffic rules may also vary outside the MMDA’s Metro Manila number coding scheme.
Final Reminder
National Heroes Day falls on Monday, August 31, 2026 and is a regular holiday throughout the Philippines.
If you are working that day, check whether the correct regular holiday rate is reflected in your pay.
If you have government, banking, or travel plans, checking schedules ahead of the long weekend can save you time.
Government announcements and operating schedules can still change, so always check the latest advisory from the relevant agency or business before traveling.