Republic of the Philippines 
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES 
Quezon City 
NINETEENTH CONGRESS 
First Regular Session 
HOUSE BILL NO. ___________ 
Introduced by Representative Ambrosio “Boy” C. Cruz, Jr. 
EXPLANATORY NOTE 
For many of us, faith and religion can be manifested in a myriad of ways. For 
Bulaceños, 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 9th 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. 1 
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. 2 
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.  
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 
1http://surl.li/cqrbw and http://surl.li/cqrbz 
2http://surl.li/cqrca 
August 30, 2022
1:58 pm
4228


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. 
 
 
 
 
 
 
     AMBROSIO “BOY” C. CRUZ, JR. 
Representative, Fifth District of Bulacan 
 
 
 


Republic of the Philippines 
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES 
Quezon City 
NINETEENTH CONGRESS 
First Regular Session 
HOUSE BILL NO. ___________ 
Introduced by Representative Ambrosio “Boy” C. Cruz, Jr. 
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;
f.
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.  
4228


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,