THE House of Representatives approved Bill No. 6933 declaring the province of Pampanga as the country’s Christmas capital.
Pampanga Third District Rep. Aurelio “Dong” Gonzales Jr. said this dream becomes closer to reality as the House approved the bill on the third and final reading.
The bill, authored by Gonzales, seeks to declare Pampanga “Christmas capital of the Philippines in recognition of its grand and famous Christmas traditions and the excellent craftsmanship of its lantern-making artisans who have significantly contributed to the robustness of the local economy and the promotion of the province as a cultural tourism destination.”
The proposed law directs the Department of Tourism (DOT) “to include and feature” the province as the country’s Christmas capital “in its national and regional promotion programs.”
Gonzales thanked Speaker Martin G. Romualdez and his colleagues for his bill’s approval.
The Pampanga lawmaker also expressed his gratitude to the committee on tourism chaired by Rombon Representative Eleandro Jesus Madrona for endorsing the measure.
Gonzales said he is hopeful that senators will pass his bill once it is sent to the Senate.
“This proposed law will further promote our province as a cultural and Christmas tourism destination. It will boost our local economy, which will mean more income and job opportunities for our kabalen and residents of neighboring areas,” he said.
Gonzales said craftsmen in the province have already started making and selling Christmas lanterns and related products early this month as the Christmas season starts.