Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Quezon City

‘TWENTIETH CONGRESS
First Regular Session

Begun and held in Metro Manila on the
thousand and twenty-five

HousEBILLNO, 3241

Introduced by Representative Agatha Paula “Agay” A. Cruz

EXPLANATORY NOTE

For many of us, faith and religion can be manifested in a myriad of ways. For
Bulacefios, one significant demonstration of their faith is the Hatiran Fiesta.

The Hatiran Fiesta is a religious celebration observed every first Sunday of August in
Bocaue, Bulacan in honor of the Banal na Krus, as the locals would call it. During the fiesta,
the Banal na Krus, which is enshrined at the Kapilya ng Bambang Dulo, is brought to its first
home - the Kapilya ng Lati. The Banal na Krus is left for 9 days at the Kapilya ng Lati and on
the 9* day, it is carried through the houses of devotees in the fisheries in Bambang,
Bagumbayan, Balagtas, and Bulakan, Bulacan. Thereafter, the Banal na Krus is brought back
to the Kapilya ng Bambang Dulo. '

According to the locals, the devotion to the Banal na Krus started when it was found
in the river by two fishermen from Bocaue and Bulacan. Both wanted to bring the cross to
their respective towns, so they agreed to let the said cross float for them to see which way it
would go. As it turned out, the cross floated along the riverbanks of Bambang, Bocaue. Since
then, miraculous incidents have been associated with the Banal na Krus, which persuaded
many to become its devotees. ?

Through the years, it has become quite apparent that for the people of Bocaue that
Hatiran Fiesta is not just a celebration, but also a form of commitment to their faith as
Catholics. The effort they put into successfully making the event happen every year is a
testament to their belief that the Banal na Krus is essential to their religious life. Thus, it is only
proper that its cultural and religious significance be recognized and protected, and this is what
the instant bill aims to do.

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With this bill, the Hatiran Fiesta shall be declared as an official festival in Bocaue,
Bulacan. A Festival Committee will be created which will oversee the implementation of this
Act. Through this measure, Hatiran Fiesta will continue to develop, not only as a religious
celebration, but also as a symbol of Catholic faith in the province of Bulacan, particularly in
Bocaue.

Considering the foregoing, the immediate approval of this bill is most earnestly
sought.

AGATHAP ALA “AGAY” X/CRUZ
Representative, Fifth District'of Bulacan


Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Quezon City

TWENTIETH CONGRESS
First Regular Session

HOUSE BILL NO. 3241

Introduced by Representative Agatha Paula “Agay” A. Cruz

AN ACT DECLARING THE HATIRAN FIESTA AS AN OFFICIAL FESTIVAL IN THE
MUNICIPALITY OF BOCAUE, BULACAN AND APPROPRIATING FUNDS
THEREFOR

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

Section 1. Short Title. - This Act shall be known as the “Hatiran Festival Act.”

Section 2. Festival Declaration ~ The Hatiran Fiesta is hereby declared an official
festival in the Municipality of Bocaue, to be celebrated every first Sunday of August every
year.

Section 3. Festival Committee There is hereby created a Festival Committee to be
which shall be composed of the following:

a. The Municipal Mayor as chairperson;

b. Municipal Vice Mayor;

c. Representative of the local parish church;

d. Representative of each administrative district of the LGU;

e. Representatives of different sector, e.g. youth, women, business, non-
government organizations, among others;

£. Representative from the Department of Tourism (DOT);

g. Members of the Municipal Tourism Council; and

h. Members of the Municipal Council for Cultural Heritage and Arts.

The members of the Committee shall be assigned duties and responsibilities based on
their capabilities. They shall also organize a secretariat among themselves.

Section 4. Implementation — Within sixty (60) days after the effectivity of this Act, the
Festival Committee shall formulate and issue the necessary rules and regulation for its
implementation.


Section 5. Funding. - To carry out the purposes of this Act, there shall be created a
special festival fund, which may be sourced from the Internal Revenue Allotment of the
Municipality or such other sources in the form of donations and contributions from
individuals and organizations.

Section 6. Separability clause. - If any provision of this Act shall be declared invalid
or unconstitutional, such declaration shall not affect the validity of the remaining provisions
of this Act.

Section 7. Repealing clause. - All provisions of laws, presidential decrees, letters of
instruction and other presidential issuances which are incompatible or inconsistent with the
provisions of this Act are hereby deemed amended or repealed.

Section 8, Effectivity. - ‘This Act shall take effect upon its approval.

Approved,