HOUSE OF REPR
RECEINNECD
DATE:
TINE: S07 Gen
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SEVENTEENTH CONGRESS
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES )
First Regular Session )

HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVE:

Introduced by Representative Maximo B, Rodrigues, Jn. WON UNIT
il INDEX SERVICE

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House Bill No,_29'75
EXPLANATORY NOTE

This bill was originally introduced as House Bill No. 5881 during the 14th
where it was approved by the House of Representatives and transmitted to the
Senate. It was again re-filed during the 15" Congress as House Bill No, 1072 where
it was again approved by the Committee on Revision of Laws and substituted by
House Bill No. 4410, approved on 2” reading, approved on 3” reading and was
transmitted to the Senate where it was likewise approved. Unfortunately, due to lack
of time, the Bicameral Conference Committee for the bill was not constituted. It was
again re-filed during the 16" Congress.

The presence of the Chinese in our country is very significant. The Chinese
arrived here prior to the arrival of the Spaniards in the 16" century. They started their
families and put up their businesses here. They have intermarried with Filipinos and
have raised their children as Filipinos and made them study in Philippine schools.
They have voluntarily assimilated to our society. They put up businesses, provide
employment to Filipinos, create more income for us and contribute to our Philippine
economy, They celebrate some of their own customs and traditions here, the most
significant of which is their New Year. The celebration of the Chinese New Year Is
likewise participated by us Filipinos who join the parade of the dancing dragons and
are recipients of their famous tikoy,

Chinese — Filipinos fought with us for independence and freedom against
Spain in 1896-1898, against the Americans in 1899 and against the Japanese in
1941-1945,

Considering our long relations with the Chinese many of whom have adopted
the Philippines as their home, it is but just to help preserve some of their valued
traditions. This bill seeks to preserve the Chinese tradition of celebrating their New
Year by declaring It as nonworking public holiday for observance among Chinese,
Fillpino-Chinese and Filipinos, thus giving them honor and respect which is due
them,

Mp

MAXIMO B. RODRIGUEZ, JR.

ENT ATIVES


SEVENTEENTH CONGRESS
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES }
First Regular Session

HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Introduced by Representative Maximo B. Rodriguez, Jr.
House Bill No__25'79
AN ACT

DECLARING THE CHINESE NEW YEAR A SPECIAL NON-WORKING PUBLIC
HOLIDAY IN THE PHILIPPINES.

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

Section 1. Declaration of Policy - It is hereby declared a policy of the
government to recognize the great contributions of the Chinese-Filipino in Philippine
Society and their rich cultural traditions.

Section 2. Special Non-Working Public Holiday - The Chinese New Year is
hereby declared a special nonworking public holiday in the whole country every year.

Section 3. implementing Rules and Regulations - The Department of
Labor and Employment in consultation with the Federation of Filipino-Chinese
Chambers of Commerce and Industry, Inc., shall promulgate the rules and
regulations to implement this Act.

Section 4. Effectivity - This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days upon its
publication in two newspapers of national circulation

Approved,