Aug. 18 now Jesse Robredo Day

President Benigno Aquino III has signed a law declaring August 18 of every year as Jesse Robredo Day, a special working holiday.

Republic Act (R.A.) 10669 requires elementary and secondary schools in the country to honor Robredo during his death anniversary through activities to be drawn up by the Department of Education (DepEd).

The law was signed by Aquino last Wednesday, in time for Robredo’s third death anniversary.

The new law particularly tasks the DepEd to “ensure that Jesse Robredo’s legacy of good governance and leadership is given emphasis to encourage students to continue the same for the good of the Philippines and the Filipino people.”

R.A. 10669 also states that the holiday shall be observed on a Friday should it fall on a weekend.

Robredo, a former Interior Secretary and Naga City mayor, died in 2012 after the small plane he was riding crashed off Masbate. -Andreo Calonzo/NB, GMA News