MANILA, Philippines – House Committee on Revisions of Laws has endorsed for plenary discussions a consolidated bill declaring the Chinese New Year on Feb.3 as a special non-working public holiday. The committee, chaired by Pangasinan Rep. Marlyn Primicias-Agabas already approved the consolidation of House Bill Nos. 1062, 611, and 2715, which seeks to formalize and institutionalize a centuries-old Chinese tradition.
Lawmakers have been pushing for the passage of the measure which aims to recognize the valuable contribution of the Chinese-Filipino communities in Philippine society.
Among the principal authors of the bill are Aurora Rep. Juan Edgardo Angara, Cagayan de Oro Rep. Rufus Rodriguez, Abante Mindanao Rep. Maximo Rodriguez, and Northern Samar Rep. Emil Ong.
“Considering our long relations with the Chinese, many of whom have adopted the Philippines as their home, it is but just to help preserve some of their valued traditions,” said Angara, who authored HB 1062.
Angara, author of House Bill 611, expressed optimism that the measure would be approved by Congress as it resumes its session on Jan. 17.
Ong, who filed HB 2715, called for the immediate passage of the measure since 25 percent of the country’s population has Chinese bloodline.
During the 14th Congress, a similar bill was approved on final reading on Dec. 8, 2009 by the House, but the Senate was not able to act on it due to lack of time.
Charisa Luci, Manila Bulletin
