HOUSEOF REPRESENTATIVES

RECEIVED
Republic ofthe Pippines pare. 18 AUG 2016
HOUSE Ee ee THe Moa)
BY: i

SEVENTEENTH CONGRESS
First Regular Session REGISTRATION UNIT
3143 BILLS AND IADLX SERVICE

HOUSE BILL NO,

Introduced by Honorable Deogracias Victor “DV” B. Savellano

EXPLANATORY NOTE

During the colonial years of the Philippines for more than 300 years from the 16” century to
the 19" century, there arose sporadic revolts all over the archipelago against the colonizer, Spain,
before it culminated with the 1896 Revolution leading to the country’s independence from foreign
rule in 1898, One of these scattered uprisings came from the northern part of Luzon island in the
locos Region.

Maria Josefa Gabriela Carifio Silang was born on March 19, 1731 in Santa, Ilocos Sur and she
took over the reins of her second husband. Diego Silang’s llocano uprising, after the latter was
assassinated on May 28, 1763, Gabriela Silang continued Diego's rebel movement as commander of
the rebel troops portraying a popular image as the bolo-wielding La Generala on horseback.

On September 10, 1763, Gabriela Silang laid siege on the town of Vigan, Ilocos Sur but the
Spanish counterattacked forcing her to retreat to Abra and was later captured. On September 20,
1763, Gabriela Silang and her troops were martyred by hanging in Vigan’s central plaza.

Gabriela Silang is revered as the “Joan of Arc of locandia”. There are several monuments
‘and memorials to this date that have given homage to this first known female general of the
Philippines. There is the Order of Gabriela Silang, a third class national decoration award by the
country, whose membership is restricted to women. There is a provincial hospital in locos Sur,
named the Gabriela Silang General Hospital.

In our very own esteemed halls of Congress, there is the GABRIELA Partylist (General
Assembly Binding Women for Reforms, Integrity, Equality, Leadership and Action), founded in April
11984 in her honor, which advocates women’s rights and issues.

There is thus a need to reserve a day in the calendar for celebration in the Ilocos region so

that the tlocanos can commemorate one of their own to be the embodiment of courage, patriotism
and Filipino nationalism.

DEOGRACIAS VJCFOR “DV” B. SAVELLANO.


Republic of the Philippines

HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES.
Quezon City

SEVENTEENTH CONGRESS
First Regular Session

nouse si wo, 3143

Introduced by Honorable Deogracias Victor “DV” B. Savellano

ANACT
DECLARING MARCH 19 OF EVERY YEAR A SPECIAL NON WORKING HOLIDAY IN THE PROVINCE OF
ILOCOS SUR TO COMMEMORATE THE BIRTH ANNIVERSARY OF THE GREAT ILOCANO
REVOLUTIONARY GABRIELA SILANG TO BE KNOWN AS THE GABRIELA SILANG DAY

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

SECTION 4, February 2 of every year is hereby declared a special non-working holiday in the Province
of llocos Sur in commemoration of the birth anniversary of the great llocano Revolutionary Gabriela
Silang which shall be known as the “Gabriela Silang Day’.

SECTION 2. The Department of Labor and Employment in consultation with the National Historical
Institute shall promulgate the necessary rules and regulations for the effective implementation of
this Act,

SECTION 3. This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days upon its publication in two (2) newspapers of
national circulation,

Approved,