09 JUL 2013

SIXTEENTH CONGRESS )
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES —)
FIRST REGULAR SESSION )

HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

Introduced by Representative Rufus B, Rodriguez and
Representative Maximo B. Rodriguez, Jr.

House BillNo._ 1215
EXPLANATORY NOTE

This bill was originally introduced as House Bill No. 5881 by the undersigned
Rufus B, Rodriguez 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

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 intermartied 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,
Filipino-Chinese and Filipinos, thus giving them honor and respect which is due
them

RUFYS B. RODRIGUEZ

MAXIMO B. i JR.


SIXTEENTH CONGRESS )
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES —).
FIRST REGULAR SESSION

HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

Introduced by Representative Rufus B. Rodriguez and
Representative Maximo B. Rodriguez, Jr.

House BillNo,_ 1245

AN ACT
DECLARING THE CHINESE NEW YEAR A SPECIAL NON-WORKING
PUBLIC HOLIDAY IN THE PHILIPPINES,

Be it enacted 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.