Manila, Philippines — The House of Representatives body on Wednesday pushed for the enactment of a bill declaring the Chinese New Year as a special non-working holiday in the country.

Principal authors of the consolidated bill lauded the decision of the House Committee on Revision on Laws which met for the first time since being constituted only three weeks ago.

Chaired by Pangasinan Rep. Marlyn L. Primicias-Agabas, the committee was unanimous to declaring the Chinese New Year which usually falls within the first three months of the year, as non-working holiday.

Authors of the measure include Reps. Juan Edgardo Angara (LDP, Quezon); Emil Ong (Lakas, Northern Samar); Rufus Rodriguez (PMP, Cagayan de Oro City) and Maximo Rodriguez Jr. (Abante Mindanao).

Several committee members complained that there is now a proliferation of holidays in the country, saying that adding another would result to losses to the economy.