(Benguet caretaker Eric Go Yap. SCORE photo)
House Bill No. 8839, declaring July 15 of every year as special non-working holiday in the Cordillera Administrative Region to be known as Cordillera Day in commemoration of its foundation day, was approved in the Senate Committee on Local Government on Tuesday.
Benguet Congressman Eric Yap last July 2020 in celebration of the 32nd Day Foundation of CAR. It was then approved in the House of Representatives last March 2021 and was transmitted to the Senate for deliberation.
"We are now one step closer to having the first holiday in the Cordillera enacted into law. This approval in the Senate Committee is a victory for the people of Cordillera. We look forward to this day every year to highlight our identity as Cordillerans and to celebrate our gains from the struggles we have overcome as a region," said Yap.
"Over the years, Malacañang has consistently issued an annual proclamation to declare July 15 as a special non-working holiday in CAR in celebration of its foundation anniversary. Through the passage of this measure, the annual celebration of our rich history, traditions, and culture will be institutionalized," he added.
As the hearing is concurrent with the budget deliberations in the Lower House, Appropriations Chairperson Yap requested Baguio City Representative Mark Go to sponsor the said measure.
"We are grateful to Congressman Mark Go for his full support and for sponsoring the bill on our behalf. We have partnered with Cong. Mark many times, such as in passing legislation in Congress and in providing public service to our constituents. Our good working relationship reflects the brotherhood between Baguio and Benguet," Yap expressed.
"The passage of this measure has been long overdue. We also thank the members of the Senate for approving this measure in the Committee level. It shall now be scheduled for deliberations in the Senate plenary," he further noted.
"Together with our fellow Cordillerans in Benguet, Baguio City, Abra, Apayao, Ifugao, Kalinga, and Mountain Province, we are in anticipation of the enactment of this measure into law. Rest assured that we shall follow through with its passage to establish July 15 as Cordillera Day and to declare it as a special non-working holiday in the region," the Benguet solon stated. ***
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