Industry leaders were responding to comments by Malacañang on Sunday that it is open to declaring a holiday for Jan. 15 to 19 to allow more Filipinos to see Pope Francis and also to ease congestion for the Catholic leader’s visit.

John D. Forbes, senior adviser of the American Chamber of Commerce of the Philippines said the government should “very, very carefully consider the impact of more holidays on competitiveness.”

“Employees can take leave if they wish to see the Pope. Do any other countries have this practice? I am shocked to even hear it is being considered,” he added.

European Chamber of Commerce of the Philippines Vice-President Henry J. Schumacher, for his part said: “I am aware how important the visit of the Pope is, but, at the same time, Filipinos need to do business with the rest of the world despite the visit of the Pope.”

“Five days no work is not acceptable. And this Pope would not support that! A dialogue with business is needed (on) how compromises can be developed,” he said via text.

Management Association of the Philippines President Gregorio S. Navarro said via text: “I think we already have too many holidays, schools can be dismissed but not government and businesses.”

SEIPI President Dan C. Lachica, in a separate text message said: “I don’t agree with this plan. Electronics companies will have to work. This will add 30% to labor cost during this week. If employees want to watch the Pope, they can avail of their earned leave credits.”

“Most electronic companies are in Laguna, Batangas, Cavite, Cebu and north of Manila. Employee commutes will not significantly add to traffic congestion,” he added.

For his part, president of the Philippine Chamber of Commerce and Industry Alfredo M. Yao welcomed the proposal saying “the Pope does not come [to the Philippines] every day.”

Sought for comment on the business groups’ sentiments, Communications Secretary Herminio B. Coloma, Jr., said: “No decision has been made on the proposal.”

“All aspects and all merits and demerits are being taken into account. Let’s just wait for the decision,” he said in a text message.

Earlier, Mr. Coloma said the Palace is considering the holiday option to give the public an opportunity to see the Pope.

Metro Manila mayors on Friday called on President Benigno S. C. Aquino III to declare holidays for the time Pope Francis is in Manila.

In a resolution, scheduled to be submitted to the Office of the President yesterday, the Metro Manila Council -- composed of Metro Manila’s mayors and acting as the policy-making arm of the Metropolitan Manila Development Authority -- said the Papal visit is expected to cause congestion due to the influx of devotees from around the country. The council also said security for the Pope would also be better managed if holidays are declared.

Apart from Manila, Pope Francis is due to visit areas hit by super-typhoon Yolanda in the Visayas.

This will be the fourth papal visit to the Philippines after Pope Paul VI’s 1970 visit and Pope John Paul II’s visits in 1981 and 1995. 

Source: Business World Online