January 23, nais gawing non-working holiday sa buong bansa

Isang panukalang batas ang inihain sa Kamara de Representantes upang ideklarang non-working holiday sa buong bansa ang Enero 23, bilang ‘First Philippine Republic Day.’ Sa House Bill No. 5762 na inihain ni Bulacan Rep. Ma. Victoria Sy-Alvarado, sinabi nito na mahalagang bahagi ng kasaysayan ng bansa ang Enero 23, 1899 kung saan unang naideklara ang ang pagiging Republika ng Pilipinas. “It is a conscious choice to reject dictatorial and revolutionary government and establish for all and for future Filipino generations the groundwork for democracy," paliwanag ng kongresista. Idinagdag ng mambabatas na bilang kauna-unahang bansa na naging republika sa Asya, dapat lamang umano itong ipagmalaki ng Pilipinas. Ipinaalala ni Sy-Alvarado na Hunyo 12, 1899 naman nang ideklara ni General Emilio Aguinaldo na malaya na ang Pilipinas sa puwersa ng dayuhan na isinagawa sa Barasoain Church sa Malolos, Bulacan. Ang Hunyo 12 ay kasama sa listahan ng mga holiday sa bansa bawat taon. “The upheaval of nationalistic fervor leading to our independence was followed with cool and calm thought to make the gains for Philippine democracy and republicanism more lasting and permanent through the enactment of the first organic law for the Philippine Republic," pahayag ng kinatawan ng Bulacan sa panukala. “Our beliefs and aspirations as a nation, united in pursuit of life, liberty and enjoyment of the benefits of our democracy, is encapsulated by our rich and noble history. I hope that we can give due recognition to this great feat and achievement of our forefathers in commemorating January 23 as a national holiday," dagdag niya. Ang mga deklaradong regular at special holidays sa bansa ngayong 2012 ay ang mga sumusunod: Regular Holidays New Year’s Day (January 1) Maundy Thursday (April 5) Good Friday (April 6) Araw ng Kagitingan (April 9) Labor Day (May 1) Independence Day (June 12) National Heroes Day (August 27) Bonifacio Day (November 30) Christmas Day (December 25) Rizal Day (December 30) Special (Non-Working) Days Chinese New Year (January 23) Ninoy Aquino Day (August 21) All Saints Day (November 1) Additional special (non-working day) (November 2) Last Day of the Year (December 31) Special Holiday (for all schools) EDSA Revolution Anniversary (February 25). -- RP/FRJ, GMA News