Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Quezon City

EIGHTEENTH CONGRESS
First Regular Session

House Bill No. _“ “* 8552

Introduced by: HON. LORD ALLAN JAY Q. VELASCO.

EXPLANATORY NOTE

The Province of Marinduque, known to be the “Heart of the Philippines” and home of the
Moriones festival has a well-recorded history about its foundation day.

Marinduque, along with Mindoro, on the southeast portion of Laguna and Camarines, was
made a part of Batangas when the latter was founded in 1581 by Spaniards.

Early in the 17% 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 28 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.

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. The annual festivities that often accompany this type of holiday build stronger
bonds among the local population. Hence, 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 reasons, the swift passage of this measure is sought.



ONONRON=

Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Quezon City

EIGHTEENTH CONGRESS
First Regular Session

House Bill No. LE:

Introduced by: HON. LORD ALLAN JAY Q. VELASCO

“AN ACT DECLARING FEBRUARY 21 OF EVERY YEAR AS ‘ARAW NG
MARINDUQUE, A SPECIAL NONWORKING HOLIDAY IN THE
PROVINCE OF MARINDUQUE”

Be it enacted by the Senate and 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,