Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

EIGHTEENTH CONGRESS
First Regular Session

4790

HOUSE BILL NO.

Introduced by HONORABLE WES T. GATCHALIAN

AN ACT
DECLARING EVERY 30 OF NOVEMBER EVERY YEAR AS A
SPECIAL WORKING HOLIDAY IN RECOGNITION OF
JESUS REIGNS NATIONAL WORSHIP DAY

EXPLANATORY NOTE

Among the Christian community, the 30% of November is a significant day.
On this day in 1947, the Christians were able to regain its sovereignty and
possession of Israel, the promise land. This is especially momentous, considering
the centuries of exile and torment of the community (e.g. Christian concentration
camps in Nazi Germany).

In the Philippines, the Jesus Reigns celebration began in 30 November 2012
in Cebu. Thousands of people, young and old from all walks of life, denominations,
churches and establishments came as one body to worship and intercede. In a
spirit of jubilation, people walked through the streets of Cebu holding banners with
the names of God. The Jesus Reigns celebration is not exclusive to a single
denomination, as this day of worship was envisioned to be a united and
ecumenical activity. Through the years, there has been participation from the
Roman Catholic Church as well.

Among the participants of this event is the Philippine Council of Evangelical
Churches, accounting for 2.1% of the national population ~ this includes seventy-
two (72) Christian Churches and one hundred thirty-two para-Churches
nationwide. It is estimated that around eighty-two (82) provinces all over the


country participates in the festivities on this day. There is also a widespread
participation from sixteen (16) cities in Metro Manila. In 2017, around forty
thousand persons (40,000) in the Quezon City Memorial Circle, and a total of one
million persons (1,000,000) nationwide, gathered to celebrate the Jesus Reigns
National Worship Day.

The Christian community in the Philippines has been instrumental in the
socio-economic development of the country. They have imparted valuable and non-
negotiable moral truths ingrained not only in the moral compass of the Philippine
society, but in the laws as well. This measure is proposed to grant them space and
the recognition to truly express their faith.



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Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

EIGHTEENTH CONGRESS
First Regular Session

HOUSE BILL NO. _4790

Introduced by HONORABLE WES T. GATCHALIAN

AN ACT
DECLARING EVERY 307 OF NOVEMBER EVERY YEAR AS A
SPECIAL WORKING HOLIDAY IN RECOGNITION OF
JESUS REIGNS NATIONAL WORSHIP DAY

Be it enacted by the Senate and the House of Representatives of the
Philippines in Congress assembled:

SECTION 1. Short Title. - This Act shall be known as the ‘Jesus Reigns
National Day of Worship Act."

SEC. 2. Declaration of Policy. — It is the declared policy of the State to
recognize the activities of Jesus Reigns on its National Worship Day.

SEC. 3. National Holiday. - 30 November of every year is hereby declared
as a national special working holiday in recognition of the Jesus Reigns National
Worship Day.

SEC. 4. Repealing Clause. - Any law, presidential decree or issuance,
executive order, letter of instruction, administrative order, rule or regulation
contrary to or inconsistent with the provisions of this Act is hereby repealed,
modified, or amended accordingly.

SEC. 5. Effectivity Clause. - This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after
its publication in at least two (2) newspapers of general circulation.

Approved,