Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Quezon City

16" CONGRESS

First Regular Session

2

House Bill No.

Introduced by: Honorable Raneo E. Abu

EXPLANATORY NOTE

This bill seeks to declare every twenty third (23") day of July to be a special non-
working holiday in Batangas City, Province of Batangas.

Batangas City or Lungsod ng Batangas was founded and named Batangan in 1681
by Spanish missionaries. It was formally declared as a city on July 23, 1969 pursuant to
Republic Act No. 5495, otherwise known as the "Charter of Batangas City’.

Batangas City is the largest and the Capital city of the Province of Batangas. Known
as the “International Port City of South Luzon’, it is classified as one of the fastest urbanizing
cities in the Philippines.

Since its proclamation as a City on July 23, 1969, Batangas City has become the
economic focal point of trading, commercial and industrial activities in Southern Luzon. It is
presently classified as a Regional Growth Center and identified as one of the sites for the
Regional Agro-Industrial Center and Special Economic Zones as mandated by the Medium
Term Philippine Development Plan and the Ecozone Act of 1995. Batangas City is also one
of the nation’s top revenue generating cities. It hosts the Pilipinas Shell Corporation, one of
the biggest oil refineries in the Philippines which can produce 250, 000 barrels per day. With
Caltex, Batangas City is the source of 60% of the country's fuel requirements. It is also
hosting the three (3) major power plants using natural gas, namely: Kepco Ilijan, San
Lorenzo and Sta Rita First Gas with a combined capacity of 2700 Megawatts that supply
50% power requirements of Metro Manila. Located 99 kilometers South of Manila, Batangas
City has one of the best natural harbors, and was declared as Intemational Port, and the
start of Philippine Nautical Highway. Batangas City is also the source of 25% supply of fish
and marine products, 30% of eggs and 20% of chicken and pork, for Metro Manila.

The importance of July 23 in the history of Batangas City can best be highlighted by
a declaration of that date as a special non-working holiday in the city. Thus, the Office of the
President of the Philippines, on June 20, 2013 issued Proclamation No. 609 declaring July
23, 2013, as a special non-working day in Batangas City.

In the light of the foregoing facts, and to avoid the inconvenience of from time to
time seeking the needed Proclamation as mentioned above, in order for the people of
Batangas City to fully celebrate the city's foundation day every-twenty third (23) day of
July, this representation earnestly sought the passage of this



Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Quezon City
16"" CONGRESS
First Regular Session

House Bill No._ 24.3

Introduced by: Honorable Raneo E. Abu

AN ACT
DECLARING THE TWENTY THIRD (23°°) DAY OF JULY OF EVERY YEAR AS A
SPECIAL NON-WORKING HOLIDAY IN BATANGAS CITY TO BE KNOWN AS.
THE BATANGAS CITY FOUNDATION DAY

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

SECTION 1. Declaration of Policy. It is hereby declared that on every twenty
third (23") day July of every year to be a special non-working holiday in Batangas
City to be known as the “Foundation Day of Batangas City” in order to commemorate
the founding day of the said city.

SEC. 2. Effectivity. This act shall take effect upon its approval.

Approved.