Republic of the Philippines 
House of Representatives 
Quezon City, Metro Manila 
NINETEENTH CONGRESS 
First Regular Session 
House Bill No. _______ 
INTRODUCED BY REP. PM VARGAS 
AN ACT 
DECLARING JANUARY 9 OF EVERY YEAR A SPECIAL NONWORKING 
HOLIDAY IN THE ENTIRE COUNTRY TO COMMEMORATE THE FEAST 
OF THE BLACK NAZARENE, AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES 
EXPLANATORY NOTE 
The Philippines is the third largest Catholic country in the world with 
about 90 million Catholics or more than 86 percent of the whole population1. 
Thus, the prominence of Catholic traditions and occasions in our nation. 
For more than 400 years, the historical statue of a dark-skinned Jesus 
Christ kneeling, and carrying his cross has been a symbol of devotion, 
struggle, faith and resilience for Filipino Catholics. The iconic statue, which 
is currently enshrined in the Minor basilica of the Black Nazarene or more 
famously known as the Quiapo Church, has survived raging fires, 
earthquakes, the floods due to numerous typhoons and even bombings during 
the Second World War.  
On January 9 of every year, an estimated 18 million Filipinos from all 
around the country take part in the celebration of the Feast of the Black 
Nazarene. Devotees take part in an extraordinary procession popularly known 
as Traslación where they carry a replica of the iconic statue in a display of 
extreme religious devotion. This iconic religious procession does not happen 
in Manila alone but is also conducted in different locations nationwide such 
as in Cagayan de Oro, Samar, and other provinces which feature their own 
version of the kneeling mulatto Nazarene. 
1 Asia Society. “Religion in the Philippines.” https://asiasociety.org/education/religion-philippines (Accessed 
Online 9 September 2022) 
September 12, 2022
10:23 am
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As a widely practiced religious event by many of our countrymen, it is 
imperative that January 9 of every year be declared as a special nonworking 
holiday to commemorate the Feast of the Black Nazarene. 
 
Furthermore, given the immense number of people involved in the 
celebration of this feast, and in order to ensure its peace and order and the 
security and safety of participants and the public and general, it is necessary 
to institutionalize the coordination of different government agencies and 
instrumentalities for smooth coordination between public and private sectors, 
and the extension of necessary assistance in connection to the celebration of 
the Feast of the Black Nazarene. 
  
In view of the foregoing, the immediate passage of this bill is earnestly 
sought.  
 
 
 
REP. PM VARGAS   
 
Fifth District, Quezon City 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 


Republic of the Philippines 
House of Representatives 
Quezon City, Metro Manila 
NINETEENTH CONGRESS 
First Regular Session 
House Bill No. _______ 
INTRODUCED BY REP. PM VARGAS 
AN ACT 
DECLARING JANUARY 9 OF EVERY YEAR A SPECIAL NONWORKING 
HOLIDAY IN THE ENTIRE COUNTRY TO COMMEMORATE THE FEAST 
OF THE BLACK NAZARENE, AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES 
Be it enacted by the Senate and the House of Representatives of the Philippines 
in Congress assembled: 
SECTION 1. Short Title. – This Act shall be known as the "Feast of the Black 
Nazarene Act". 
SECTION 2. Feast of the Black Nazarene. – January 9 of every year is 
hereby declared a special nonworking holiday in the entire country to 
commemorate the Feast of the Black Nazarene and to allow all devotees to 
participate in the said religious event. 
SECTION 3. Assistance to the Conduct of Cultural and Historical Events 
in connection with the Feast of the Black Nazarene. – To ensure smooth 
coordination between the public sectors, maintain peace and order, and 
ensure the safety of the participants and the public in general, the following 
national government agencies and instrumentalities are enjoined to extend 
the necessary with the conduct of cultural and historical events such as the 
Traslación and other activities in relation to the celebration of the Feast of the 
Black Nazarene: 
a) Department of National Defense;
b) Department of Interior and Local Government;
c) Department of Social Welfare and Development;
d) Department of Health;
e) Philippine National Police;
f)
Philippine Coastguard;
g) Bureau of Fire Protection;
h) National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council;
i)
National Telecommunications Commission;
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j) Department of Tourism; and 
k) National Parks Development Committee. 
 
Local Government Units (LGUs) where there is an image of the Black Nazarene 
and celebrates the same feast, such as, but not limited to, Cagayan De Oro, 
Davao del Norte, Zamboanga Sibugay, Zamboanga City, Zamboanga del 
Norte, Iligan, Eastern Samar, Nueva Ecija, Nueva Vizcaya, Batanes, among 
other localities are likewise enjoined to extend the necessary assistance 
relative to the conduct of the aforementioned cultural and historical events. 
 
SECTION 4. Assistance from Other Concerned Agencies and Private 
Sector. – All other concerned government and the private sector are hereby 
encouraged to provide assistance to the concerned agencies and LGUs in the 
effective implementation of this law. 
 
SECTION 5. Repealing Clause. – All laws, presidential decrees, orders, 
issuances, rules and regulation and any part thereof inconsistent, which are 
inconsistent with the provisions of the Act are hereby amended or modified 
accordingly. 
 
SECTION 6. Separability Clause. – If any provision of this Act is held 
unconstitutional or invalid, all other provisions not affected thereby shall 
remain valid. 
 
SECTION 7. Effectivity. – This Act take effect fifteen (15) days after its 
publication in the Official Gazette or in a newspaper of general circulation. 
 
Approved,