Measures declaring special nonworking days in three provinces have lapsed into law following the non-signing of President Marcos within the period prescribed by the Constitution.

Under the Constitution, a bill may become a law, even without the President's signature, if the President does not sign a bill within 30 days from receipt in his office.

The three measures lapsed into law on Oct. 26:

• Republic Act (RA) No. 12037 declared March 2 of every year a special nonworking holiday in the Province of La Union, to be known as "La Union Day," in commemoration of its founding anniversary.
• RA No. 12038 declared Aug. 11 of every year a special nonworking holiday in the Province of Samar, to be known as "Samar Day," also in commemoration of its foundation day.
• RA No. 12039 declared Sep. 1 of every year a special nonworking holiday in the Province of Bukidnon, to be known as "Araw ng Bukidnon," in commemoration of its foundation anniversary.

La Union was founded on March 2, 1850. It is the 34th province since the founding of Cebu in 1565.

Meanwhile, Samar was declared an independent province by Queen Isabella II of Spain through a Royal Decree on Aug. 11, 1841.

Bukidnon, on the other hand, became a regular province on Sept. 1, 1914, by virtue of the creation of the Department of Mindanao and Sulu.

The new laws shall take effect 15 days following their publication in the Official Gazette or a newspaper of general circulation.