Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Quezon City

SEVENTEENTH CONGRESS
Third Regular Session

8271

HOUSE BILL N'

Introduced by REPRESENTATIVES SARAH JANE I. ELAGO, CARLOS ISAGANI T.
ZARATE, EMMI A. DE JESUS, ANTONIO L. TINIO, ARLENE D. BROSAS,
FRANCE L. CASTRO, AND ARIEL B. CASILAO

EXPLANATORY NOTE

Youth power is recognized in the world today as a mobilizing force of the social
development. The youth are filled with tremendous energy and towering ambitions
to be a catalyst of change in the society to transform the present times into a bright
future. Recognizing the momentous role of the youth in the country, Dr. Jose Rizal
‘once quoted that “The youth is the hope of our Motherland.” As such, they are
considered as a ‘trustee’ of the nation-building process who will establish the
rational identity and secure the essence of democracy by ensuring that the rights
and liberties of our people are being upheld all the time.

‘The history even unveiled the heroism of the Filipino youth who sacrificed their
lives for democracy. First Quarter Storm is a major event initiated by youth and
other advocates to combat tyrannical rule and authoritarianism. It is a continuous
movement from January 26, 1970 to March 1970 against the dictatorship of former
President Ferdinand Marcos.

Itall started when President Marcos was delivering his State of Nation’s Address
(SONA) on January 26, 1970. The youth demonstrators demanded for
constitutional reform before the law enforcers responded with violent riot. On the
following days, simultaneous demonstrators were held again for constitutional
reform. and to express grievances against the police for the said incidence. Security
forces reacted again with force until it caused the death of four (4) students and
hundreds of wounded protesters. Series of demonstrations spread throughout the
archipelago. As a response, President Marcos declared Martial Law that eventually
transpired the death of democracy and the rise of totalitarian rule,

‘This event must not be buried in the past but rather considered as a success of the
struggle of the Filipino people in ousting a dictator. The memories of the youth
who fought to revive democracy and to defend the rights and liberties of the
Filipino people must be respected as a foundation of realization of our dream to
free ourselves from misery of fascist rule. Without their efforts, our society must


have been paralyzed up to the present due to the atmosphere of fear and agony
persisted arising from excruciating oppression of the government and state violence
against its people.

‘This bill seeks to declare a day, specifically, January 26, also the day that FQS
started, as the day for commemoration of the anniversary for First Quarter Storm.
During this proposed official anniversary of FQS, it will be a chance for every
citizen to look back to the past and learn the lessons from the nightmare of the
Marcos regime. It is the day we can repay and honor those youths who never feared
to fight and sacrifice their lives in pursuit of their aspiration to establish the society
whereby the freedom is respected and equality among the people is observed. Their
fight is not an end but a beginning for our struggle toward democratic goal.

‘This representation earnestly seeks the passage of this bill at the most immediate
possible time. Let this be a model for the international community, a step closer to
a more informed, dynamic, and critical public crucial for democracy.

Rep. SARAH JANE I. ELAGO Rep. CARLOS ISAGANI T. ZARATE
Kdbataag Parylist Bayan Muna Partylist

ON1O0 LATINIO

Rep. EMMI A. DE JESUS p S
ACT Teachers Partyljst

Gabriela Women's Partylist

Rep. ARLENE D. BROSAS Rep. FI
Gabriela Women's Partylist A

Rep. wh CASILAO

Anakpawis Partylist



Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Quezon City

SEVENTEENTH CONGRESS
Second Regular Session

8271
HOUSE BILL NO.

Introduced by REPRESENTATIVES SARAH JANE I. ELAGO, CARLOS ISAGANI T.
ZARATE, EMMI A. DE JESUS, ANTONIO L. T! 10, ARLENE D. BROSAS,
FRANCE I. CASTRO, AND ARIEL B. CASILAO_

AN ACT RECOGNIZING JANUARY 26 EVERY YEAR AS
OBSERVANCE OF THE ANNIVERSARY OF THE FIRST QUARTER
STORM, AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES, AND APPOPRIATING
FUNDS THEREFOR

Section 1. Short Title — This Act shall be otherwise known or cited as
“First Quarter Storm Anniversary Act.”

Section 2. Declaration of Policy. —

(a) The State recognizes the vital role of the youth in nation-building and shall
promote and protect their physical, moral, spiritual, intellectual, and social well-
being. It shall inculcate in the youth patriotism and nationalism, and encourage
their involvement in public and civic affairs;

(b) The State shall give priority to education, science and technology, arts, culture, and
sports to foster patriotism and nationalism, accelerate social progress, and promote
total human liberation and development; and

(©) The State shall encourage non-governmental, community-based, or sectoral
organizations that promote the welfare of the nation.

Section 3. On 26" of January of every year, school officials, student councils,
and students shall undertake appropriate activities to commemorate the First
Quarter Storm, such as, but not limited to forum, panel discussions, exhibits.

Section 4. The Role of Agencies Concerned —

(a) National Historical Commission of the Philippines (NHCP)- The
NHCP created pursuant to Republic Act 10086 shall lead its role in


implementation of historical education activity that seeks to
educate the audience on the facts about First Quarter Storm. It shall
coordinate with other agencies concerned for planning and
implementation of the programs.

(b) Commission on Higher Education (CHED)- It shall coordinate
with NHCP for planning and implementation of educational
activities on FQS to all the academic institutions in tertiary level.
Furthermore, it shall allow all the universities and college under its
jurisdiction, students, and faculties to conduct any activity inside
their institutions with relevance to FQS.

(c) Department of Education (DepEd)- \t shall plan, with coordination
of NHCP, any educational activities and discussions on FQS to all
the students from primary, secondary and senior high school level.
It shall give directives to all the schools under its jurisdiction to
conduct an event that shall consist of academic, art, musical and
cultural activities which shall inculcate nationalism and patriotism
among the students.

Section 5. Appropriations Clause. -- The amounts necessary to carry out the
initial implementation of this Act shall be charged against the current year's
appropriation of the agencies. Thereafter, the amounts necessary for the
continued implementation of this Act shall be included in the annual General
Appropriations Act.

Section 6. Separability Clause. — If for any reason any section or provision
of this Act is declared unconstitutional, other provisions hereof which are not
affected thereby shall continue to be in full force and effect.

Section 7. Repealing Clause. — Any laws, decrees, or laws, decrees, or rules
and regulations which are inconsistent with or contrary to the provisions of this
Act are hereby amended or repealed.

Section 8. Effectivity Clause. This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after
its publication in the Official Gazette or in at least two (2) newspapers of
general circulation.

Approved,

Rep. SARAH JANE I. ELAGO Rep. CARLOS ISAGANI T. ZARATE.
Kabataan Parylist Bayan Muna Partylist

Rep. EMMI A. DE JESUS Rep. ANTONIO L. TINIO

Gabriela Women's Partylist ACT Teachers Partylist


Rep. ARLENE D. BROSAS Rep. FRANCE I. CASTRO
Gabriela Women's Partylist ACT Teachers Partylist

Rep. ARIEL B. CASILAO
Anakpawis Partylist