Laws on Muslim holiday, protected landscapes signed

MANILA, Philippines — President Marcos has signed into law measures declaring a special national working holiday for Muslims and parcels of land as natural parks and protected landscapes.

Republic Act (RA) 12228 declared Nov. 7 as Sheikh Karim’ul Makhdum Day to commemorate the establishment of the Philippines’ first mosque and the introduction of Islam in the country.

The first mosque was built in Tawi-Tawi following the arrival of Makhdum, an Arab missionary who played a key role in spreading Islam in Mindanao.

Also enacted were three laws declaring parcels of land in Albay, Guimaras and Quezon as natural parks and protected landscapes.

RA 12225 declared a parcel of land in Nueva Valencia, Guimaras as Taklong and Tandog Group of Islands Natural Park, while RA 12226 declared a property in San Andres, Quezon as a protected area to be referred to as the Alibijaban Protected Landscape and Seascape.

Marcos also signed RA 12227, which declared a protected area in Polangui and Oas towns as well as in Ligao and Tabaco cities in Albay as the Mt. Masaraga Protected Landscape.

A natural park is a large area not materially altered by human activity and where extraction of resources is not allowed.

A protected area, meanwhile, is an identified portion of land and water set aside because of its unique physical and biological significance.