EIGHTEENTH CONGRESS OF THE 
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES 
Second Regular Session
]
SENATE
S.B. No. 1811
I
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20 SEP-8 A9:24
RECEVli-. ^_____
Introduced by SEN. WIN GATCHALIAN
AN ACT
DECLARING FEBRUARY 21 OF EVERY YEAR AS ‘ARAW NG 
MARINDUQUE/ A SPECIAL NONWORKING HOLIDAY 
IN THE PROVINCE OF MARINDUQUE
EXPLANATORY NOTE
Known to be the “Heart of the Philippines” and the home of the 
Moriones festival, the Province of Marinduque has a well-recorded history 
about its foundation day.
Marinduque, along with Mindoro, was made a part of Batangas 
when the latter was founded in 1581 by Spaniards.
Early in the 17th century, the island of Marinduque was separated 
from Batangas and became a part of Mindoro as a corregimiento. In 1671, 
Marinduque functioned as a province but was later reduced as a Mindoro 
sub-province. This period in Marinduque’s colorful history continue to 
show the flip-flopping status of its independence as a province.
On the 28th of April 1898, with the overthrow of the last Spanish 
casadores (Tagalog soldiers) after armed conflict and hostilities with the 
revolutionists during the Philippine-Spanish War, Marinduque declared 
its separation from Mindoro and from Spanish rule. This declaration was 
ratified by the ruling class from different towns of the island province. 
Martin Lardizabal, the military governor of Marinduque’s first 
revolutionary provincial government, led the local struggle.


Then, on 01 May 1901, Marinduque was finally converted into a 
new province by virtue of Philippine Commission Act No. 125. However, 
the celebration would be short-lived. On 10 November 1902, by virtue of 
Act No. 499, Marinduque was annexed to the Province of Tayabas (now 
Quezon). Furthermore, on 17 May 1907, it was declared a sub-province 
of Tayabas under Act No. 1649 with Juan Nieva as Lieutenant Governor.
Finally, on 21 February 1920, Act No. 2880 re-established the 
Province of Marinduque as a separate and independent province from 
Tayabas.
This measure seeks to accord the Province of Marinduque the 
recognition it truly deserves by declaring the 21st day of February every 
year as the Araw ng Marinduque.’
A province’s founding anniversary is a reminder to the local 
community about the long-standing culture and traditions of the 
province. It also boosts the morale of everyone in the community since 
the annual festivities that often accompany this type of holiday build 
stronger bonds among the local population. Without a doubt, the 
celebrations and festivities during municipal, city and provincial 
foundation days form part and parcel of the Filipino culture.
In view of the foregoing, the passage of this measure is earnestly
sought.


o( tljf So’n rctnip
EIGHTEENTH CONGRESS OF THE 
]
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES 
j
Second Regular Session 
]
SENATE
S.B. No. 1811
20 SEP “8 A 9 ’*26
RECti ^ .!)r
Introduced by SEN. WIN GATCHALIAN
AN ACT
DECLARING FEBRUARY 21 OF EVERY YEAR AS ‘ARAW NG 
MARINDUQUE,’ A SPECIAL NONWORKING HOLIDAY 
IN THE PROVINCE OF MARINDUQUE
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Be it enacted by the Senate and the House of Representatives of the 
Philippines in Congress assembled:
SECTION 1. February 21 of every year is hereby declared a special 
nonworking holiday in the Province of Marinduque, to be known as “Araw 
ng Marinduque,” in commemoration of its founding anniversary.
SEC. 2. This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after its 
publication in the Official Gazette or in a newspaper of general 
circulation.
Approved,