Republic of the Philippines O3 JUL 2013

HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES BS fy
Quezon City peg k
SIXTEENTH CONGRESS
First Regular Session
HOUSEBILLNO. «986

Introduced by REP. TEDDY BRAWNER BAGUILAT

AN ACT DECLARING SEPTEMBER 2 OF EVERY YEAR A SPECIAL NON-
WORKING HOLIDAY IN THE PROVINCE OF IFUGAO TO COMMEMORATE THE
“PHILIPPINE NATIONAL VICTORY AND LIBERATION DAY”

EXPLANATORY NOTE,

‘The 2" day of September 1945 is a significant date in the history not only of Ifugao but a
country. On this day Japanese Imperial Army General Tomoyuki Yamashita, the Head of the
Japanese 14” Army (the Army Division ordered to invade and occupy the Philippines), and the
highest Commander of the Japanese Imperial Army in the Philippines surrendered to Filipino and
American Forces in the Municipality of Kiangan, Province of Ifugao. On that same date, the
temaining Japanese Forces in the Philippines also formally surrendered. ‘The Philippines was finally
liberated.

‘0 of the

Yet liberation came with a cost as history highlights that when the hearts and minds of man move
towards the road of war and aggression it results in immense pain and suffering, The Second World
War (WWII) has created an indelible mark on the World and on the country. It has led to the deaths
of more than 40 million people around the world. In that count one million are Filipinos, which
includes the people of Ifugao.

‘These irrefutable facts of history should never be forgotten. For we always need to be reminded that
we should keep in our hearts and minds the precepts of peace and harmony.

‘The framers of the 1987 Constitution have recognized this importance hence Article II Section 2 of
the 1987 Constitution provides that “The Philippines renounces war as an instrument of national
policy, adopts the generally accepted principles of international law as part of the law of the land and
adheres to the policy of peace, equality, justice, freedom, cooperation, and amity with all nations.”

‘Thus, as an expression of the 1987 Constitution and a requirement of patriotism, I am submitting
this bill as a Memorial to those who died during the war, to those people who valiantly defended our


country aftd to the innocent victims ofiwar. This will be a memorial that will allow people to ponder
on the evils of war and the graces of peace especially in the province of Ifugao where it all ended.

Further, this Bill was filed in the Fifteenth Congress as House Bill No. 2936 and was approved on
third reading by this Chamber on 22 August 2011. However, the Senate was not able to pass the
same before the expiration of the Fifteenth Congress.

For all these reasons, it is most respectfully urged that this bill be approved.

Zone District, Ificgao


Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Quezon City

SIXTEENTH CONGRESS
First Regular Session

HOUSE BILL NO. 986

Introduced by REP. TEDDY BRAWNER BAGUILAT

AN ACT DECLARING SEPTEMBER 2 OF EVERY YEAR A SPECIAL NON-
WORKING HOLIDAY IN THE PROVINCE OF IFUGAO TO COMMEMORATE THE
“PHILIPPINE NATIONAL VICTORY AND LIBERATION DAY”

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

Section 1. September 2 of every year is hereby declared a special nonworking holiday in the
Province of Ifugao to celebrate the "Philippine National Victory and Liberation Day"

Section 2. The Provincial Goverment of Ifugao, in coordination with the Municipal
Government of Kiangan, the National Historical Institute (NHI, the Philippine Veterans Affairs
Office (PVAO), the Military Shrines Services (MSI), Department of Education (DepED), and
Commission on Higher Education (CHED) shall lead appropriate and meaningful commemorative
programs and activities to be participated in by officials and employees of the national, provincial
and municipal government agencies and instrumentalities, and civic, religious, nongovernment,
business and civil society organizations, in order to give significance and honor the heroes and
heroines who contributed to the Philippine’s National Victory and Liberation.

Section 3. This Act shall take effect fiftcen (15) days after its complete publication in at least
two newspapers of general circulation in the Philippines.

Approved,