Legarda welcomes Senate’s passage of Anini-y special holiday bill

June 5, 2025

Senator Loren Legarda welcomed the Senate’s passage, on third reading, a bill that declares August 5 as a special non-working holiday to commemorate the independence of Anini-y town in the province of Antique.

Legarda explained that having the celebration honors the town’s success.

“For the Municipality of Anini-y, self-identification is a declaration of strength that is anchored in heritage, and a shared vision to become a peaceful, thriving tourism hub with an empowered community, committed to sustainability, good governance, and inclusive growth,” she said.

“The act of self-identification is fundamental to the life of any community. It is through this shared understanding, as a people shaped by common history, place, values, and aspirations, that we find meaning in our struggles, direction in our development, and unity in our collective journey,” Legarda added.

It was on August 5, 1949 when President Elpidio Qurino signed Executive Order No. 253, separating Anini-y from the municipality of Dao, now Tobias Fornier.

Anini-y, the southernmost town in Antique, was originally independent before being converted into an arabal or satellite community of Dao.

The American colonial government, through the Philippine Commission Act No. 961 of 1903 integrated Anini-y to Dao.

Antique Representative AA Legarda and Coop-NATCCO Partylist Representative Felimon Espares filed the counterpart bill in the House of Representatives.

“More than a legal commemoration, this annual celebration reinforces local identity, pride, and unity among the people of Anini-y,” the four-term senator concluded.

House Bill No. 7005 was principally sponsored by Senator JV Ejercito as Chairperson of the Senate Committee on Local Government. (30)


Legarda, nagbunyi sa pagpasa ng Anini-y special holiday bill

Nagbunyi si Senador Loren Legarda matapos ipasa ng Senado sa ikatlong pagbasa ang panukalang naglalayong maging isang special non-working holiday ang Agosto 5 sa Anini-y, Antique.

Paliwanag ng senadora, mahalaga ang pagkakaroon ng pagdiriwang sa naging pag-unlad ng naturang bayan.

“For the Municipality of Anini-y, self-identification is a declaration of strength that is anchored in heritage, and a shared vision to become a peaceful, thriving tourism hub with an empowered community, committed to sustainability, good governance, and inclusive growth,” ani Legarda.

“The act of self-identification is fundamental to the life of any community. It is through this shared understanding, as a people shaped by common history, place, values, and aspirations, that we find meaning in our struggles, direction in our development, and unity in our collective journey,” dagdag niya.

Naging ganap na bayan ang Anini-y noong Agosto 5, 1949 noong nilagdaan ni Pangulong Elpidio Quirino ang Executive Order No. 253, na naghiwalay sa bayan mula sa Dao, na ngayon ay Tobias Fornier.

Ang Anini-y, ang pinakatimog na bayan ng Antique, ay naunang maging bayan bago maging arabal o satellite community o ng Dao.

Pinagsama ang Dao at Anini-y noong 1903 sa pamamagitan ng Philippine Commission Act No. 961 noong panahon ng rehimeng Amerikano sa bansa.

Naghain naman ng counterpart bill sa Kamara sina Antique Representative AA Legarda at Coop-NATCCO Partylist Representattive Felimon Espares.

“More than a legal commemoration, this annual celebration reinforces local identity, pride, and unity among the people of Anini-y,” pagtatapos ng senadora.

Si Senator JV Ejercito ang principal sponsor ng House Bill No. 7005 bilang Chairperson ng Senate Committee on Local Government. (30)