Question & AnswerQ&A (Republic Act No. 9187)
June 30 of each year is officially declared as Philippine-Spanish Friendship Day under Republic Act No. 9187.
The purpose is to commemorate the cultural and historical ties, friendship, and cooperation between the Philippines and Spain, and to remember the act of benevolence when President Emilio Aguinaldo commended besieged Spanish soldiers at the Church of Baler.
It is declared a national special working holiday and a special non-working holiday in Aurora Province.
The National Historical Institute (NHI) is responsible for the implementation of the Act.
The NHI shall formulate and issue the implementing rules and regulations necessary for the proper implementation of the Act.
The committee is composed of the Secretary of Foreign Affairs as Chairman; the Executive Director of the NHI and the Mayor of Baler, Aurora as Co-Vice Chairmen; Undersecretaries of the Department of Education and Department of Tourism; representatives from the National Commission for Culture and the Arts and the University of the Philippines History Department; and the Philippine and Spanish Ambassadors to each other's countries as ex officio members.
An annual budget of Fifteen million pesos (Php15,000,000.00) is allocated, with thirty percent (30%) devoted exclusively for research and development.
The budget is included annually starting the year following the enactment of the law and shall continue in subsequent General Appropriations Acts for ongoing implementation.
If any section or provision is held unconstitutional or invalid, other sections or provisions not affected shall remain valid and effective (Separability Clause).
Yes, all laws, presidential decrees, executive orders, rules, or regulations inconsistent with the provisions of this Act are repealed or modified accordingly.
The law took effect fifteen (15) days after its publication in the Official Gazette or in two (2) newspapers of general circulation.