Palace declares April 2 a holiday in Bataan

MANILA, Philippines — Malacañang has declared April 2 as a special non-working day in Bataan to allow the province to commemorate the birth anniversary of Francisco “Balagtas” Baltazar, a Filipino poet and orator.

“It is but fitting and proper that the people of the province of Bataan be given full opportunity to remember the important contributions of Francisco ‘Balagtas’ Baltazar to the Filipino people,” the Palace said in issuing Proclamation 830.

Baltazar was born in Bigaa, Bulacan on April 2, 1788. He moved to Orion, Bataan in 1840 where he lived with his wife Juana Tiambeng until his death in 1862.

He is best known for his poem “Florante at Laura,” which is being taught to high school students.

Meanwhile, the Palace also issued Proclamations 827, 828 and 829, declaring special non-working days in Baco in Oriental Mindoro, Binangonan in Rizal and Tanjay City in Negros Oriental, respectively.

March 19 is a special non-working day in Baco town for the celebration of the Banana Festival while March 29 is a special non-working day in Binangonan for the celebration of the town’s 125th founding anniversary.

April 1 is declared a special non-working day in Tanjay City for the observance of its Charter anniversary.

 The proclamations were signed by Executive Secretary Lucas Bersamin on March 13.