SIXTEENTH CONGRESS )
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES )
First Regular Session )

HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

Representative Maximo B. Rodriguez, Jr.

House Bill No, 2964
EXPLANATORY NOTE

Former President Fidel V. Ramos, in his column in the Manila Bulletin
said that: “What we were yesterday, what we are today, and whatever we will
be in the future are made possible only because of our freedom to live our
lives to their fullest potential. No other day but Independence Day reflects the
common aspirations of past, present and future generations of Filipinos... For
those who willingly offered everything to country — even fight to death —
Independence Day embodies our proud achievements as a people. As
inheritors of the patriotic legacy of exemplary forebears, we now seem to take
Independence Day for granted — which is absolutely deplorable and
inexcusable.”

As can be seen, a our Independence Day is more than just a regular
holiday, it is more than just a day where citizens celebrate holidays by going
to the malls or going to resorts or beaches to have fun and relax. It is not a
regular holiday that can be moved just o be economically efficient. Our
Independence Day's significance should be embedded in each and every one
of us. It should reflect our sense of nationhood. Its observation should
therefore not be movable to another date.

Further, 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.

In view of the foregoing, immediate passage of this bill is earnestly
requested in order to restore our sense of pride and loyalty to our country,

RUFYS B. mover

Ai’
ee
MAXIM . RODRIGUEZ, JR.


SIXTEENTH CONGRESS )
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES —)
First Regular Session )

HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

Introduced by Representative Rufus B. Rodriguez and
“Representati odriguez,

House Bill No. _2964

AN ACT
AMENDING REPUBLIC ACT NO. 9492, OTHERWISE KNOWN AS “AN
ACT RATIONALIZING THE CELEBRATION OF NATIONAL HOLIDAYS
AMENDING FOR THE PURPOSE SECTION 26, CHAPTER 7, BOOK | OF
EXECUTIVE ORDER NO. 292, AS AMENDED OR THE “ADMINISTRATIVE
CODE OF 1987”

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

SECTION 1. Section 1 of Republic Act No. 9492 is hereby amended to read
as follows:

"SECTION 1. Section 26, Chapter 7, Book | of Executive
Order No. 292, as amended, otherwise known as the
Administrative Code of 1987, is hereby amended to read as
follows:

"Sec. 26, Regular Holidays and Nationwide Special Days. —
(1) Unless otherwise modified by law, and or proclamation,
the following regular holidays and special days shall be
observed in the country:

1. Regular Holidays:

New Year's Day - January 1
Maundy Thursday - Movable date.

Good Friday - Movable date

Eidul Fite - Movable date

Araw ng Kagitingan - Monday nearest April 9
(Bataaan and Corregidor Day)

Labor Day - Monday nearest May 1
Independence Day - [Monday nearest] June 12
National Heroes Day - Last Monday of August
Bonifacio Day - Monday nearest November 30
Christmas Day - December 25

Rizal Day - Monday nearest December 30

CHINESE NEW YEAR - MOVABLE DATE


2) Nationwide Special Holidays:

Ninoy Aquino Day - Monday nearest August 21
All Saints Day - November 1
Last Day of the Year - December 31

3. In the event the holiday falls on a Wednesday, the holiday
will be observed on the Monday of the week. If the holiday
falls on a Sunday, the holiday will be observed on the
Monday that follows:

Provided, That for movable holidays, the President shall
issue a proclamation, at least six months prior to the holiday
concerned, the specific date that shall be declared as a
nonworking day:

Provided, however, The Eidul Adha shall be celebrated as a
regional holiday in the Autonomous Region in Muslim
Mindanao:

SEC. 2. All laws, orders, presidential issuances, rules and regulations or part
thereof inconsistent with this Act are hereby repealed or modified accordingly.

SEC. 3. This Act shall take effect after fifteen (15) days following its
publication in at least two newspapers of general circulation

Approved,