REPUBLIC ACT NO. 11897, July 23, 2022

[ REPUBLIC ACT NO. 11897, July 23, 2022 ]

AN ACT DECLARING THE SECOND THURSDAY OF JANUARY OF EVERY YEAR AS SPECIAL WORKING HOLIDAY TO BE KNOWN AS “NATIONAL BAPTIST DAY”

Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the Philippines in Congress assembled:

SECTION 1. This Act shall be known as the "National Baptist Day Act."

SECTION 2. It is hereby the declared policy of the State to recognize the Baptists for the continuous pursuit of their evangelical mission to contribute to nation-building by establishing Christian schools that instill academic excellence and build character in individuals, and churches that proclaim, teach and share biblical principles for the betterment of society.

SECTION 3. To recognize the important contribution of the Baptists in nation-building, the State shall promote the observance of the second Thursday of January of every year as "National Baptist Day" and proclaim the same as a special working holiday.

SECTION 4. This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after its publication in the Official Gazette or in a newspaper of general circulation.

Approved,

(SGD.) LORD ALAN JAY Q. VELASCO Speaker of the House of Representatives

(SGD.)VICENTE C. SOTTO III President of the Senate

This Act was passed by the Senate of the Philippines as Senate Bill No. 2522 on May 30, 2022, and adopted by the House of Representatives as an amendment to House Bill No. 6522 on June 1, 2022.

(SGD.) MYRA MARIE D. VILLARICA Secretary of the Senate

(SGD.) MARK LLANDRO L. MENDOZA Secretary General House of Representatives

Approved: Lapsed into law on JUL 23 2022 without the signature of the President, in accordance with Article VI Section 27 (1) of the Constitution.

(SGD.) RODRIGO ROA DUTERTE President of the Philippines