Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Quezon City, Metro Manila
Nineteenth Congress
First Regular Session
HOUsE BILL No. 592 9
RECEIVED
DATE:
•A'       TIME;
HOV   0 8  20
Introduced by HON. MUJIV S. HATAMAN of the Lone District of Basilan
EXPLANATORY NOTE
This measure seeks to declare March 7 of every year a special non-working holiday in
the  province  of Basilan  and  recognize  the  Tennun  Pakaradjaaii  as  the  province's  official
festival.
Basilan has a rich and colorful history that is deeply rooted in the diversity of the its
people,  their  love  of the  land  and  sea,  and  their  resilience  in  overcoming  the  greatest  of
adversities.
The province's history starts in the early American period where the whole island was
still a part of zamboanga. In 1948, Basilan was declared a city by virtue of a legislative measure
that was passed into law - Republic Act No. 288 - causing its separation from Zanboanga.
In 1973, a new law was decreed converting Basilan into a province. The first appointed
provincial officials took their oath of office on March 7,  1974, making this day the official
Founding Anniversary of the province.
At present, the province of Basilan is the fourth largest in terms of land area in the
Bangsanioro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao. It is politically subdivided into two


(2) component cities  and eleven municipalities.  It  is the homeland of peace-loving people
known for having rich and colorful culture and traditions.
Its  commemoration  of  its  Foundation  Day  is  always  celebrated  by  the  Termun
Pakaradjaan, or the festival inspired by the Tennun or the hand-woven fabric known for its
intricate design that truly represents the ingenuity of Basilan craftmanship.
Given these premises, it is most fitting and proper that the people of the province of
Basilan be given full opportunity to celebrate and participate in the occasion with appropriate
ceremonies.  And  of secondary  importance  is  to  recognize  the  Termun  Pakaradjaan  as  the
official festival of Basilan, much like the Ati-Atihan of Aklan, the Sinulog Festival of Cebu,
and the Kadayawan Festival of Davao.
In view of the foregoing, the immediate passage of this measure is earnestly sought.
Lone District of Basilan
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Republic of the Philippines
HousE oF RnpRESHNTATlvEs
Quezon City, Metro Manila
Nineteenth Congress
First Regular Session
HOUSEB|LLNo.    5929
Introduced by HON. MUJIV S. HATAMAN of the Lone District of Basilan
AN ACT DECLARING MARCH 7 0F EVE:RY YEAR A SPECIAL NONWORKING
HOLIDAY IN THE PROVINCE OF BASILAN IN COMMEMORATION OF ITS
FOUNDING ANNIVERSARY, TO BH KNOWN AS ``ARAW NG  BASILAN", AND
RECOGNIZING "TENNUN PAKARADJAAN" AS THE OFFICIAL FESTIVAL OF
BASILAN PROVINCE
Be  it  e_n_ac.ted by  the  Senate  and  House  Of Representatives  Of the  Philippines  in Congress
assembled:
SECTION 1 . March 7 of every year is hereby declared as special nonworking holiday
in the province  of Basilan,  to  be  known  as  `Araw ng  Basilan,'  in  commemoration of its
founding anniversary, and "Temun Pakaradjaan" shall be the official festival of the province.
SEC. 2. This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after its publication in the Official
Gazette or in a newspaper of general circulation.
Approved,
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