House panel OKs bills declaring new holidays

MANILA, Philippines — The House Committee on Revision of Laws on Monday approved several measures seeking to declare new holidays to commemorate historical, religious and national events.

Among the measures is a group of bills seeking to declare Jan. 22 a special working holiday to be known as National Farmers’ Day. The House bills were filed by Reps. Nelson Legacion, Sarah Jane Elago and Audrey Kay Zubiri.

Other measures seek to declare June 19 a special working holiday for the birth anniversary of national hero Jose Rizal; the third Wednesday of Easter as the Feast of Our Lady of the Rosary; Sept. 12 as National Day of Prayer; and May 13 as a special working holiday for the Feast of Our Lady of Fatima.

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Elago said the proposed National Farmer’s Day would honor farmers who died in the 1987 Mendiola massacre and recognize the continuing struggles of Filipino farmers.

“Napakahalagang matalakay ito sa ating committee meeting ngayon para sa mga magsasakang nagbuwis ng buhay sa Mendiola at para sa lahat ng magsasakang patuloy na nagsasakripisyo,” Elago said.

(It is important to discuss this at our committee meeting today for the farmers who sacrificed their lives in Mendiola and for all the farmers who continue to make sacrifices.)

“Isulong natin ang National Farmers’ Day hindi lang bilang pagkilala sa sakripisyo kung hindi rin sa napakalaking papel nila sa pagsulong ng food sufficiency at sa patuloy na pagkilos para sa lupa, kabuhayan, at katarungan,” she said.

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(Let us push for National Farmers’ Day not only to recognize the sacrifices of farmers but also their important role in advancing food sufficiency and their continuing fight for land, livelihood and justice.)

The 1987 Mendiola massacre occurred on Jan. 22, when security forces opened fire on farmers and land reform advocates who had gathered near Mendiola Bridge in Manila. Thirteen farmers were killed.

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Kilusang Magbubukid ng Pilipinas chairman emeritus Rafael Mariano also backed the proposal, saying a holiday dedicated to farmers was “long overdue.”

“Malakas ang historical at moral na basehan at relevance, significance nitong tatlong panukalang batas kung kaya amin po itong buong lakas na sinusuportahan na agarang maisabatas,” Mariano said.

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(The three bills have strong historical and moral basis, relevance and significance, which is why we fully support their immediate passage.)/ja