MANILA, Philippines — The House of Representatives approved on third and final reading on Monday a bill that seeks to declare the province of Pampanga as the country’s Christmas capital.
“This proposed law will further promote our province as a cultural and Christmas tourism destination. It will boost our local economy, which will mean more income and job opportunities for our kabalen and residents of neighboring areas,” Pampanga third district Rep. Aurelio Gonzales Jr., author of the proposed measure, said.
“Their excellent craftsmanship to honor the birth of Jesus Christ surely contributed to the robustness of the local economy and the promotion of the province as a cultural tourism destination,” he added.
House Bill No. 6933 seeks to recognize the “grand and famous Christmas traditions and excellent craftsmanship” of lantern-making artisans in the province, saying they contributed to the robust local economy and promotion of the province as a cultural tourism destination.
Under the proposal, the Department of Tourism will include and feature Pampanga as the country’s Christmas capital in its national and regional promotion programs.