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

Fifteenth Congress
Third Regular Session

HOUSE BILLNO. G55

Introduced by Honorable Lucy Torres-Gomez

EXPLANATORY NOTE

Palompon is the oldest town in northwestern Leyte to date as
evidenced in the 1568 ancient map of DeLas Yslas Philipinas crafted by
Pedro Murillo Velarde who was then commissioned by the Spanish
Crown. In the entire Province of Leyte, Palompon is not only one of the
oldest but also one of the biggest municipalities in terms of population
and land area.

Every 3" day of December is Palompon, Leyte's fiesta celebration
to honor her patron saint, the venerable St. Francis Xavier. However,
inasmuch as the annual town fiesta is more of a religious than a civil
occasion, the current leadership of the local government unit deems it
proper to put a more secular / political dimension to the memorable event,

The third “whereas clause” of Resolution No. 358-270212 of the
Sangguniang Bayan of Palompon, Leyte states “WHEREAS, the
Palomponganons deem it right and fit to have a day declared as their
Foundation Day in order to underscore the returns and gains of the
defined thrust and priorities of the local government in addressing
development issues and concerns”.

In a position paper on the subject, the incumbent Mayor Ramon C.
Onate of Palompon maintains that “to inaugurate a very important and
significant date of the municipality to reckon with, e.g.: Palompon
Foundation Day, would be simply historic, educational, promotional,
logical and binding to the local populace. It undoubtedly seals a solid
panorama of inspiration and jacks up determination for success and of
better living.”


By way of precedent, the Municipality of Tanauan in Leyte was
benefited with its own foundation day. This is found in Republic Act No.
7689 entitled, “Aw Act Declaring August Fifteen Of Every Year A
Special Non-Working Public Holiday in the Municipality of Tanauan,
Province of Leyte. to be known as the “Tanauan Day.” It is safely
presumed that many other iocal government units (provinces, cities and
municipalities) have similar legislation which established their own
foundation day.

Parentheticatly, the proximity of December 3 to Christmas Day,
December 25, and New Year's Eve, December 31, practically makes for a
month-long celebration when out-of-town and out-of-the-country
Palomponganons come home to be reunited with their loved ones.

Tn view of the foregoing, the early approval of this bill is earnestly

requested.
LUCY , oF


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

Fifteenth Congress
Third Regular Session

HOUSE BILL NO. 6355

Introduced by Honorable Lucy Torres-Gomez

AN ACT

DECLARING DECEMBER 3 OF EVERY YEAR AS PALOMPON
FOUNDATION DAY IN THE MUNICIPALITY OF PALOMPON,
PROVINCE OF LEYTE AND A SPECIAL NONWORKING
PUBLIC HOLIDAY IN THE MUNICIPALITY
Be it enacted by the Senate and the House of Representatives of the
Philippines in Congress assembled:

SECTION |. December 3 of every year is hereby declared as
Palompon Foundation Day in the Municipality of Palompon, Province of

Leyte and a special nonworking public holiday in the municipality.

SEC.2. This Act shall take effect upon its approval.

Approved,