MANILA, Philippines — The Senate on Monday approved on third and final reading the bill which seeks to declare September 8 as a special working holiday every year in celebration of the birth of the Blessed Virgin Mary. The bill, authored by Representatives Rodolfo Fariñas, Marlyn Primicias-Agabas, Joseph Stephen Paudano, Emi Calixto-Rubiano, and Gus Tambunting, was approved with 19 affirmative votes and zero negative votes. ADVERTISEMENTThe bill was approved following the 2017 signing of the Republic Act 10966 declaring December 8 a special non-working holiday to commemorate the Feast of the Immaculate Conception. The bill also seeks to provide a safe and decent living space for students, especially those from low-income families and are living away from the university. “It is necessary for the school to ensure the safety and well-being of the students by providing them dormitories inside the state university and college,” he added.

Source: Philippine Daily Inquirer May 20, 2019 12:45 UTC