Noy declares March 26 working holiday in Cebu

MANILA, Philippines - President Aquino has declared March 26 every year a “special working holiday” in Cebu province in commemoration of its historic liberation from Japanese occupation during World War II.

He signed Republic Act 10359 last Jan. 9 that expands the holiday not just in Talisay City – as per Republic Act 7280 that was automatically repealed – but in the entire province of Cebu as well.

The measure was passed by the House of Representatives in November 2012 and the Senate a month later. It was signed by Senate President Juan Ponce Enrile and Speaker Feliciano Belmonte Jr.

Pampanga hospital upgrade

Aquino also signed last Jan. 9 RA 10355 that doubles the bed capacity of the Jose Lingad Memorial General Hospital in San Fernando, Pampanga from 250 to 500.

The new law also aims to upgrade the medical facility’s services and professional health care, at the same time authorizing the increase of its medical personnel, in conformity with the commensurate increase in its bed capacity.  

The hospital’s existing workforce shall also be increased, with the Department of Health, the Department of Budget and Management and the Civil Service Commission determining the additional plantilla positions that have to be created.

The bed capacity increase, according to the new law, should be carried out “for a period of not more than four years.”

Lichauco citizenship

A third law, RA 10356, was also signed by Aquino granting Philippine citizenship to Jessie Josephine Coe Lichauco, who will now enjoy all the rights, privileges, duties and obligations of a Filipino.

Lichauco will be taking her oath of allegiance before the Bureau of Immigration, after which a certificate of naturalization will be issued to her.

The House endorsed Lichauco’s citizenship in August last year, and the Senate, three months later.