RECEIVED

pare AUG 1 4

Republic of the Philippines
House of Representatives
Quezon City

EIGHTEENTH CONGRESS
First Regular Session

3927

HOUSE BILL NO.

INTRODUCED BY REPRESENTATIVE ALFRED VARGAS.

EXPLANATORY NOTE

This bill seeks to declare January 9 of every a Special Nonworking Holiday to commemorate
the Feast of the Black Nazarene.

‘The Philippines is the third largest Catholic country in the world. There are about 90 million
Catholic Filipinos or 86 percent of the whole population, 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 become 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 the raging fires that devastated
the church twice, two earthquakes, the floods of numerous typhoons and even bombings
during the Second strength in the face of innumerable challenges

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. This feast is one of the biggest
religious celebrations in the Philippines. In fact, few religious celebrations anywhere in the
world can match this feast in terms of the number devotees who participate and the passion
which these devotees exhibit during this sacred occasion.

Principally, devotees take part in an extraordinary procession popularly known as
Translation during which devotees 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.


In light of the importance of this occasion to 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 view of the paramount importance of maintaining peace and order, and of securing
the safety of participants and the public and general, there is a necessity to institutionalize
the coordination of different government agencies and instrumentalities to ensure 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, approval of this bill is earnestly sought.

‘ALFRED VARGAS


Republic of the Philippines
House of Representatives
Quezon City

EIGHTEENTH CONGRESS
First Regular Session

392

HOUSE BILI.NO,__

INTRODUCED BY REPRESENTATIVE ALFRED 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 House of Representatives of the Philippines in Congress
assembled.

Section 1. 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 2. 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 Translation 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;
cc. Department of Social Welfare and Development;
d, Department of Health

Philippine National Police

Philippine Coastguard

Bureau of Fire Protection;

National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council;
National Telecommunications Commission;

Department of Tourism; and

vrre

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 , !ligan. Eastern Samar,
Nueva Ecija, Nueva Viscaya, Batanes, among other localities are likewise enjoined to
extend the necessary assistance relative to the conduct of the aforementioned cultural

and historical events.

SECTION 3. Assistance from Other Concerned Agencies and Private Sector. All
other concerned government and the private sector are hereby encouraged to provide

ance to the concerned agencies and LGUs in the effective implementation of this

law.

SECTION 4. 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 5. Separability Clause. - If any provision of this Actis held unconstitutional
or invalid, all other provisions not affected thereby shall remain valid.

SECTION 6. Effectivity. - This Act take effect fifteen (15) days after its publication in
the Official Gazette or in a newspaper of general circulation

Approved.