Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Quezon City, Metro Manila

18% Congress
First Regular Session

6196

House Bill No.

Introduced by HON. RODRIGO A. ABELLANOSA

EXPLANATORY NOTE

February 14 has traditionally been celebrated as a day of love. This bill seeks
to expand the definition of love from more than just romantic love, into celebrating
family love by declaring February 14 of every year as a special working holiday to be
known as the “National Family Day.”

It is often, and quite aptly said, that the family is the nucleus of civilization.
It is also referred to as the basic unit of society. The kinds of relationship fostered
and the characteristics nurtured within a family are often reflected in larger societal
units and this effect is correspondingly magnified up to the largest societal unit. To
demonstrate a point, a community comprised of families that are economically
stable, is also a community that is such. Hence, strengthening the family unit may
weil be the key to a stronger nation.

In the nation’s current war against drugs, we see a staggering number of drug
users and /or sellers coming out to seek help in resolving their drug dependence. Had
they been given the opportunity in the past to be raised in a loving family that instills
all the proper values in its children, they may have stood a huge chance against the
drug menace. There is no time more appropriate than now to begin curbing the
problem not only by trimming the foliage but addressing it from the roots. The drug
menace has long thrived because the family environment has festered with misplaced
values that have cultivated errant behavior.

The National Family Day shall celebrate and strengthen the family unit’s
contributions to nation-building and shall aim to remind Filipinos of its rights,
capabilities, and responsibilities.

In view of the foregoing, passage of this bill is hereby earnestly sought.

RODRIGO A. ABELLANOSA


Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Quezon City, Metro Manila

18% Congress
First Regular Session

House Ban No. 6196

Introduced by HON. RODRIGO A. ABELLANOSA

AN ACT
DECLARING FEBRUARY 14 OF EVERY YEAR AS THE NATIONAL FAMILY DAY

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

Section 1. Short Title. This Act shall be known as the "National Family Day Act.”

Section 2. To honor and to instill in our people the importance of nurturing the most
basic unit of the community, the family, the 14th of February of every year is hereby
declared as a special working holiday to be known as the “National Family Day”.

Section 3. All government offices, private entities, and academic institutions are
enjoined to extend their full support through the conduct of programs and activities
to pay tribute to the family as the building block of a nation. The corresponding
government agencies including, but not limited to, the Department of Education,
Commission on Higher and Technical Education, Department of Interior and Local
Government, and local government units shall prepare and adopt necessary policies
for the observance of the National Family Day and to ensure the implementation of
this Act.

Section 4. Effectivity. This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after its complete
publication in at least two (2) newspapers of general circulation.

Approved,