MANILA, Philippines — The Senate on Monday approved on third and final reading the bill which seeks to declare September 8 as a special working holiday every year in celebration of the birth of the Blessed Virgin Mary.

The bill, authored by Representatives Rodolfo Fariñas, Marlyn Primicias-Agabas, Joseph Stephen Paudano, Emi Calixto-Rubiano, and Gus Tambunting, was approved with 19 affirmative votes and zero negative votes.

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The bill was approved following the 2017 signing of the Republic Act 10966 declaring December 8 a special non-working holiday to commemorate the Feast of the Immaculate Conception.

Bill requiring SUCs to develop idle lands approved

The Senate also approved on third and final reading a bill requiring all state universities and colleges (SUCs) to submit a land management plan in a move to maximize the use of land resources within universities or colleges.

Under House Bill 8370, sponsored by Senator Chiz Escudero, all SUCs shall submit a Land Use Development and Infrastructure Plan (LUDIP) to the Commission on Higher Education (CHED) within two years after the approval of the bill.

All land use or infrastructure projects of the SUCs shall be required to follow the LUDIP while ensuring that they are aligned with the land use plan of the local government unit (LGU) they are located in.

The bill also seeks to provide a safe and decent living space for students, especially those from low-income families and are living away from the university.

“It has been observed that some students, especially those coming from poor families, usually drop out of school saying they can no longer afford to pay the costly board and lodging near the universities or colleges,” Escudero said.

“It is necessary for the school to ensure the safety and well-being of the students by providing them dormitories inside the state university and college,” he added.

SUCs may seek the assistance and cooperation from other agencies such as the Housing and Land Use Regulatory Board (HLURB), the University of the Philippines School of Urban and Regional Planning (UP-SURP), the Department of Public Works and Highways, among others. (Editor: Eden Estopace)

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