EIGHTEENTH CONGRESS
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES )
First Regular Session )

HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

Introduced by Representative Rufus B, Rodriguez

2778

House Bill No.
EXPLANATORY NOTE

This bill was originally introduced as House Bill No. 5881 during the 14th Congress
where it was approved by the House of Representatives and transmitted to the Senate. It
was 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 and the 17"
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, Filipino-Chinese and Filipinos,
thus giving them honor and respect which is due them.



EIGHTEENTH CONGRESS
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES )
First Regular Session )

HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

Introduced by Representative Rufus B. Rodriguez
2778

House Bill No.

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,