By Genalyn Kabiling
Antipolo City has officially become the new capital of Rizal province based on a new law signed by President Duterte.
Republic Act No. 11475 transfers the capital and seat of Rizal provincial government from Pasig City to Antipolo City. The law, signed by the President last June 19, will take effect 15 days after its publication in the Official Gazette or a newspaper.
“Upon the effectivity of this Act, the present Provincial Capital located in the City of Antipolo, Province of Rizal shall be deemed as the official Provincial Government Center where all provincial offices will be established,” the law read.
Senator Francis Tolentino, sponsor of the measure, had earlier said the legislation seeks to correct decades-old historical error and properly put the Rizal capital in Antipolo City. In the Hpuse of Representatives, the bill was principally authored by Antipolo City Rep. Roberto Puno.
Tolentino said Pasig City remained the capital of Rizal even after it became part of Metropolitan Manila 45 years ago. The Rizal provincial government had issued an ordinance transferring the capital of Rizal to Antipolo City from Pasig City but it was not supported by a law.
Apart from the Rizal capital law, the President signed four other local laws in the past week.
The new laws are the following:
Republic Act No. 11471, creating a barangay to be known as Barangay H-2 in Dasmariñas, Cavite. The House bill was authored by Cavite 4th District Rep. Elpidio Barzaga Jr.
Republic Act No. 11472, increasing the bed capacity of Caraga Regional Hospital in Surigao City, Surigao del Norte from 150 to 500 beds. Among the proponents of the House bill are Surigao del Norte 2nd District Rep. Robert Ace Barbers, and Quezon 4th District Rep. Angelina Tan.
Republic Act. No. 11473, upgrading the Talisay District Hospital in Talisay City, Cebu into a medical center to be known as the Cebu South Medical Center. Cebu 1st District Rep. Eduardo Gullas is the bill's main proponent.
Republic Act No. 11474, upgrading the Maria L. Eleazar District Hospital in Tagkawayan, Quezon into a Level 3 general hospital to be known as the Maria L. Eleazar General Hospital. Quezon Rep. Tan is the principal author of the bill.
Malacañang also issued proclamations declaring holidays in some towns for their historic milestones subject to minimum public health standards.
Proclamation No. 966 declares June 23, Tuesday, a special non-working day in Batac City, Ilocos Norte in celebration of its 13th Charter anniversary. The Palace reminded that community quarantine, social distancing and other public health measures must be observed during their historic observance.
The Palace also issued Proclamation No. 967, declaring June 25, Tuesday, a special non-working day in Bagulin, La Union. The holiday proclamation seeks to allow the people of Bagulin to celebrate their founding anniversary with appropriate ceremonies subject to public health measures.
Proclamation No. 968 was also issued declaring July 1, Wednesday, a holiday in Moncada, Tarlac in observance of its 145th founding anniversary.
“It is but fitting and proper that the people of the Municipality of Moncada be given full opportunity to celebrate and participate in the occasion with appropriate ceremonies, subject to community quarantine, social distancing, and other public health measures,” the proclamation read.
The proclamations were signed by Executive Secretary Salvador Medialdea by authority of the President.