NINETEENTH CONGRESS OF THE) 
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES ) 
First Regular Session 
)
S. No.
SENATE
1826
Senate
of Hje ^cu'ftarjp
23 FEB -1 PI :25
RHCtlViO BV,
Introduced by Senator MANUEL "LITO" M. LAPID
AN ACT
TO DESIGNATE THE FIFTEENTH (15TH) DAY OF JULY OF EVERY YEAR A 
SPECIAL NON-WORKING HOLIDAY IN THE CORDILLERA 
ADMINISTRATIVE REGION TO BE KNOWN AS CORDILLERA DAY, 
MANDATING CONCERNED GOVERNMENT AGENCIES TO CONDUCT EVENTS
DURING ITS OBSERVANCE
EXPLANATORY NOTE
The Cordillera Administrative Region, is the only landlocked region in our country. 
It has a mountainous topography and is known as the "Watershed Cradle of North 
Luzon" for it is home to nine vital rivers that continuously provide Northern Luzon with 
water for irrigation and energy. The area is bountiful in natural resources and mineral 
deposits such as gold, copper, silver, and zinc. Despite the fact that the area has 
abundant mineral deposits, majority of its people are still involved in farming and 
small-scale production.
The ratification of the Constitution in 1987 gave rise to the official creation of the 
Cordillera Administrative Region. On July 15, 1987, Executive Order No. 220 was 
signed in the City of Manila, creating the Cordillera Administrative Region. This region 
is carved out of provinces previously belonging to Regions 01: Abra, Baguio City, 
Benguet, and Mountain Province and Region 02: Ifugao and Kalinga-Apayao.


A similar measure was filed in the House of Representatives during the second 
regular session of the 18th Congress that reached the third and final reading, but no 
counterpart bill was filed in the Senate.
In acknowledgment of the historical significance of the formation of the Cordillera 
Administrative Region and the necessity to inculcate it in the hearts and minds of the 
people of Cordillera, it is only fitting that July fifteenth (15th) be proclaimed a special 
non-working holiday in the region to allow people to participate in programs and 
activities organized to commemorate this historic occasion. It is in solidarity with the 
people of Cordillera for regional autonomy, which would allow for the preservation 
and strengthening of the region's culture, as well as the right to self-determination of 
the people of Cordillera.
In view of the foregoing, early passage of this bill is earnestly sough
lUEL LITO" M. LAPID
Senator


NINETEENTH CONGRESS OF THE) 
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES ) 
First Regular Session 
)
S. No.
SENATE 
1826
v'^Tiiaie
of tltf S'cciftarj'
23 FEB-1 PI :25
' Bu
Introduced by Senator Manuel "Lito" M. Lapid
1 
AN ACT
2 
TO DESIGNATE THE FIFTEENTH (15TH) DAY OF JULY OF EVERY YEAR A
3 
SPECIAL NON-WORKING HOLIDAY IN THE CORDILLERA
4 
ADMINISTRATIVE REGION TO BE KNOWN AS CORDILLERA DAY,
5 
MANDATING CONCERNED GOVERNMENT AGENCIES TO CONDUCT EVENTS
6 
DURING ITS OBSERVANCE
Be it enacted by the Senate and the House of Representatives of the Philippines 
in Congress assembled:
1 
SECTION 1. Tide. — This Act shall be known as the "Cordillera Day Act".
8 
SECTION 2. Cordillera Day Act. — In recognition of its importance to our
9 
nation's history and the city's contribution to nation building and national
10 
development, the fifteenth (15th) day of July of every year is hereby declared a special
11 
nonworking holiday in the Cordillera Administrative Region (CAR) to be known as the
12 
"Cordillera Day".
13 
SECTION 3. Inter-agency and Multi-sectoral Effort. — The Department of
14 
Interior and Local Government - The CAR with the Local Government Units in the
15 
region and Regional Development Council - CAR shall serve as the lead agencies in
16 
the preparation and implementation of the annual program of activities for the
17 
observance of the annual Cordillera Day.
18 
To ensure the meaningful observance and celebration of this day, the local
19 
counterparts of national government agencies, public schools, state universities and


1 
colleges, and employers in the private sector, are encouraged to allow their respective
2 
personnel and constituents to participate in any related activity to be held within the
3 
premises of their respective offices or establishments.
4 
SECTION 4. Separability Clause. — In the event that any part, section or
5 
provision of this Act shall be declared unconstitutional or invalid by a competent court,
6 
the remaining provisions thereby shall remain valid and in full force and effect as if
7 
the sections or provisions so annulled or voided had never been incorporated herein.
8 
SECTION 5. Repealing Clause. — All laws, decrees, executive orders, issuances,
9 
rules and regulations, or parts thereof not consistent with the provisions of this Act
10 
are hereby repealed or modified and/or superseded as case may be by this Act
11 
accordingly.
12 
SECTION 6. Effectivity. — This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after its
13 
complete publication in the Official Gazette or in at least two (2) newspapers of general
14 
circulation, whichever comes earlier.
15
Approved,