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| HOUSE QF REPRESENTATIVES

Republic of the Philippines =
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES RECEIVED
Quezon City pated 0 JUN 2015 .
ae 14
SEVENTEENTH CONGRESS py: /YALG
First Regular Session OF
REGISTRATION UNT
705 BILLS AND INDE X SERVICE
HOUSE BILL NO

Introduced by HON. SANDRA Y. ERIGUEL, M.D.

EXPLANATORY NOTE

This Bill, which was previously filed in the 15" and 16" Congress and approved
by the House of Representatives on third reading, seeks to declare December 8 of every
year as a special nonworking holiday in the Municipality of Agoo, Province of La Union,
to be known as “Agoo Day.”

The Philippines has always been a melting pot of cultures. The influence of many
different foreign people resulted into the distinct and truly Filipino heritage we have
today. This is the Philippine history taught to our children in schools: a history that refers
to the country as a whole, with the same set of facts to be studied by Filipino children
wherever they are in the nation, But the Philippines is not just one homogenous land.
Rather, it is composed of many different regions, provinces and towns, each one having a
history of its own.

The Municipality of Agoo, in the Province of La Union, is of no exception. In
fact, the town of Agoo prides itself to being one of the oldest towns in the country, among
the first to be established by the earliest friars who stepped foot in our islands.

In 1572, two Franciscan friars, Fray Juan Bautista Lucarelli and Fray Sebastian
de Baesa, settled in this town Agoo, whose name derives from the Aroo trees that used to
abound the banks of the river that traversed the town. Because of this, Agoo was

introduced to Christianity and became the center of both religious and civil activities in


the area. It was officially declared a town in December 8, 1578, the first town to be
established to what was to become the province of La Union.

From that day on, Agoo developed into one of the more important and dominant

towns in La Union, not only in terms of population and economy, but more so in its

culture, which is a mix of both religious and civic influences. Agoo’s rich history is not
forgotten but is still very much a part of its people’s life in the present. It is hence
befitting for the people of Agoo to celebrate Agoo’s founding on the 8" day of December
of each year. This is not only to commemorate the past but more than that, it is doing our
part in preserving its rich history and passing it on to the next generation.

In view of the foregoing, the approval of this Bill is eamestly sought.

SANDRA Y. ERIGUEL, M.D.

Second District, La Union

* Sals, Florence Joseph. The History of Agoo. 2005, Agoo, La Union.



Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Quezon City

SEVENTEENTH CONGRESS
First Regular Session

705
HOUSE BILL NO.

Introduced by HON. SANDRA Y. ERIGUEL, M.D.

AN ACT
DECLARING DECEMBER 8 OF EVERY YEAR AS A SPECIAL NONWORKING
HOLIDAY IN THE MUNICIPALITY OF AGOO, PROVINCE OF LA UNION, TO
BE KNOWN AS “AGOO DAY”

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

Congress assembled:

SECTION 1. December 8 of every year is hereby declared a special nonworking
holiday in the Municipality of Agoo, Province of La Union in commemoration of its
founding anniversary to be known as “Agoo Day.”

SEC. 2. This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after its publication in the
Official Gazette or in two (2) newspapers of general circulation

Approved,