Republic of the Philippines
DOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVE:
Quezon City

SIXTEENTH CONGRESS
First Regular Session

3762

House Bill No.

Introduced by:
REP. FRANCISCO T. MATUGAS, 15" District, Surigao del Norte (Siargao Island)
REP, GUILLERMO A, ROMARATE, JR., 28° District, Surigao del Norte

EXPLANATORY NOTE

It was on May 15, 1901 wher Strigao was first established as a
province in Mindanao and was named Surigao Province by virtue of
Act 127 entitled “An Act Extending the Provisions of the Provincial
Government Act to the Province of Surigao". Section 5 of the said Act
explicitly states that x x x "the Capital of the Province shall be at the
town of Surigao" x x x which refers to the present City of Surigao, the
capital of the present Province of Surigao del Norte.

Though Surigao Province was then divided into the two provinces of
Surigao del Norte and Surigao del Sur on June 19, 1960 by virtue of
Republic Act 2766, it is worth noting and remembering that there has
already been a Province of Surigao before 1960 whose capital was
situated in the Province of Surigao del Norte.

The Chair Maria Serena |. Diokno of the Ndtional Historical
Commission of the Philippines (NHCP), when asked for comment
regarding the proposal to repeal RA 7553, said:

In 1860, the present Surigao del Norte was part of the East district, one
politico-military districts in Mindanao, which around 1870 became
known as the District of Surigao. The district was converted into the
Province of Surigao through Act 127 in 1901. The provinces of Surigao del
Norte and Sur were created out of the old Surigao Province by virtue of
R.A. 2786 dated June 19, 1960.

Celebrating 19 June 1960 as the foundation day of Surigao del Norte
simply refers to its formal establishment as a province, and not to its
existence for hundreds of years.!

' Letter of Chair Diokno dated 6 September 2011 to Mr. Cruje, Coordinator, Provincial
Planning & Development Office, Province of Surigao del Norte


Therefore, in celebrating the birth of the Province of Surigao, it is not
historically accurate to begin counting on the day the Province was
divided into the two provinces of Surigao del Norte and Sur. The
Surigaonons should have a sense of heritage and culture in knowing
that there has been a Province of Surigao 112 years ago and that
they are a people with proud history and glorious past. Thus the need
to repeal RA 7553.

In order to preserve, value and celebrate the historical milestone of
May 15, 1901, approval of this bill is earnestly sought.

FRANC! T. MATUGAS LLERM: ARATE, JR.


Republic of the Philippines
DOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

Quezon City, Metro Manila

Sixteenth Congress
First Regular Session

HOUSE BILLNO, _8'762

INTRODUCED BY REPRESENTATIVES FRANCISCO T. MATUGAS AND.
GUILLERMO A. ROMARATE, JR.

AN ACT DECLARING MAY 15 OF EVERY YEAR AS A SPECIAL NON-WORKING
HOLIDAY IN THE ENTIRE PROVINCE OF SURIGAO DEL NORTE TO BE KNOWN AS.
‘ADLAW NAN PROBINSYA NAN SURIGAO’ AND REPEALING FOR THE PURPOSE

REPUBLIC ACT NO. 7553

Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the Philippines
jin Congress assembled.

SECTION 1. May Fifteen (15) of every year is hereby declared as a special
non-working holiday in the entire Province of Surigao del Norte to be known
as “Adlaw nan Probinsya nan Surigao”

SECTION 2, Republic Act No. 7553, entitled ‘'An Act Declaring June
Nineteen of Every Year as a Special Nonworking Holiday in the Province of
Surigao del Norte, to be Known as Adlaw Nan Surigao del Norte" is hereby
repealed. All other laws, executive orders, decrees, rules and regulations and
other issuances inconsistent with any provisions of this Act are hereby
deemed amended and modified accordingly.

SECTION 3. This act shall take effect fifteen (15) days from its publication
in the Official Gazette or in at least two newspapers of national circulation.

Approved,