The House of Representatives has passed on third and final reading a bill declaring February 23 of every year a special working holiday to be known as “National Rotary Day” in recognition of the invaluable contribution of the Rotary Club of the Philippines in upholding humanitarian and community service to the country.
House Bill No. 5660, or the proposed “An Act Declaring February 23 of Every Year a Special Working Holiday to be known as National Rotary Day,” gives due acknowledgement and appreciation to the important role the Rotary Club of the Philippines has played in advancing social welfare and development in the country.
The bill cited the organization’s various livelihood, health, education, and environmental protection programs and community service projects it has undertaken over the years.
Rotarians consider February 23, 1905 as the foundation day of Rotary when its founder Paul Harris and his business friends formed the Rotary Club of Chicago on the said date so that professionals with different backgrounds could exchange views and give back to their communities.
The Rotarians’ motto is “Service Above Self.”
Rep. Gus Tambunting (2nd District, Parañaque), principal author of the bill, said the Rotary Club of the Philippines, established in 1919, is a local chapter of the Rotary Club International.
“For 98 years, the Rotary Club of the Philippines has been a partner of the government in promoting social welfare and development through its various livelihood, health, education and environmental protection programs and community service projects”, said Tambunting.
To date, there are over 800 Rotary Clubs in the country, according to Tambunting, chairman of the House committee on games and amusement.
“For its untiring commitment and service to the country, it is befitting to acknowledge the invaluable service of the Rotary Club of the Philippines. Declaring February 23, the Rotary’s anniversary date, as the National Rotary Day is the most appropriate way to recognize the contribution of the organization to socio-economic development of the country,” said Tambunting.
Other authors of the bill are Reps. Jonathan Sy-Alvarado (1st District, Bulacan), Manuel Jose Dalipe (2nd District, Zamboanga City), and Marlyn Primicias-Agabas (6th District, Pangasinan).