MARAWI CITY ― In celebration and commemoration of the religious, cultural, and historical events in the Bangsamoro region, two proposed measures on the observance of regular and special holidays in the region have been introduced in the Parliament on first reading, June 19.

“The rich cultural heritage of the Bangsamoro people must be preserved and enriched where a number of significant historical events and heroes worth commemorating should be given tribute,” according to the authors of the bill.

Under the Bangsamoro Legal Holidays Act, regular non-working holidays refer to those national and regional holidays provided by law that are observed throughout the area of autonomy.

Special holidays, on the other hand, refer to non-regular holidays in the region and certain local government units in observance of historical, religious, and other significant events which need official proclamation from the BARMM Chief Minister.

In the proposed bills, regular non-working holidays include Bangsamoro Foundation Day every January 21, Sheik Karimul Makhdum Day every November 7, Eid-ul-Fitr, every Shawwal 1, and Eid-ul-Adha every Dhul Hijjah 10.

Meanwhile, the special holidays are Jabidah Commemoration Day every March 18, Commemoration of the Signing of the Comprehensive Agreement on the Bangsamoro every March 27, and Battle of Bayang Day every May 2.

For the declaration of Islamic holidays with movable dates, the Chief Minister, upon the recommendation of the Bangsamoro Mufti, will proclaim the actual dates on which the observance will fall.

Under PB No. 196, local legislative bodies are authorized to declare by ordinance, special holidays to commemorate significant historic events in their localities, upon prior consultation with the Bangsamoro Commission for the Preservation of Cultural Heritage which issues a certificate of historical significance of the occasion.

If passed into law, all private and public offices, private corporations and establishments, government-owned and controlled corporations, private and public schools, and other institutions established and operating in the Bangsamoro region, including those BARMM offices located outside the region, shall observe the holidays.

The compensation for regular and special non-working holidays for private sector employees shall be consistent with the Labor Code and its implementing rules and regulations. (BTA/PIA Lanao del Sur)