THE House of Representatives has approved on second reading a bill declaring January 22 of every year a working holiday to be known as “National Farmer’s Day.”
House Bill 6894, authored by Reps. Rafael Mariano (Party-list, Anakpawis), Teodoro Casiño and Neri Colmenares (Party-list, Bayan Muna), Luzviminda Ilagan and Emmi De Jesus (Party-list, Gabriela), Raymond Palatino (Party-list, Kabataan), Antonio Tinio (Party-list, ACT-Teachers) and Marlyn Primicias-Agabas (6th District, Pangasinan), Chairperson of the Committee on Revision of Laws, aims to recognize the vital role of farmers in achieving a just, prosperous and democratic society.
Mariano said the bill ensures the meaningful observance of the holiday by mandating all heads of government agencies and instrumentalities, including government-owned and controlled corporations especially those directly dealing with the farmers, to encourage their employees to engage and participate in any activity conducted within the premises of their respective offices or establishments in support of and sympathy for farmers across the country.
“The measure was formulated not only to remind the nation of the fateful day of January 22, 1987, now known as Mendiola Massacre, which undeniably became a chapter in our country’s history and to honor the heroism of the peasants whose lives were deliberately taken for the mere reason that they were struggling for genuine agrarian reform,” Mariano said.
Mariano said the bill also encourages local government units and employees in the private sector to take time and join all activities in commemoration of this declared holiday.