Republic Act No. 11897, enacted on July 23, 2022, designates the second Thursday of January each year as "National Baptist Day," a special working holiday in the Philippines. This law acknowledges the contributions of Baptists to nation-building through their establishment of educational institutions and churches that promote academic excellence and biblical principles. The Act aims to recognize and celebrate the role of the Baptist community in the country's development. It becomes effective 15 days after publication in the Official Gazette or a widely circulated newspaper.
July 23, 2022
REPUBLIC ACT NO. 11897
AN ACT DECLARING THE SECOND THURSDAY OF JANUARY OF EVERY YEAR A SPECIAL WORKING HOLIDAY TO BE KNOWN AS "NATIONAL BAPTIST DAY"
SECTION 1. This Act shall be known as the "National Baptist Day Act."
SECTION 2. It is hereby the declared policy of the State to recognize the Baptists for the continuous pursuit of their evangelical mission to contribute to nation-building by establishing Christian schools that instill academic excellence and build character in individuals, and churches that proclaim, teach and share biblical principles for the betterment of society.
SECTION 3. To recognize the important contribution of the Baptists in nation-building, the State shall promote the observance of the second Thursday of January of every year as "National Baptist Day" and proclaim the same as a special working holiday.
SECTION 4. This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after its publication in the Official Gazette or in a newspaper of general circulation.
Approved:
Lapsed into law on July 23, 2022 without the signature of the President, in accordance with Article VI, Section 27 (1) of the Constitution.
Published in the Official Gazette, Vol. 118, No. 31, p. 8711 on August 1, 2022.