The House Committee on Basic Education and Culture unanimously passed yesterday a bill declaring balangay, the oldest watercraft in the country, as the national boat.
The House panel, chaired by Pasig City Rep. Roman Romulo, approved House Bill 1943, principally authored by Agusan del Norte Rep. Lawrence Lemuel Fortun.
“We unanimously approved the bill declaring balangay as the national boat of the Philippines,” Romulo said.
During the previous 17th Congress, the House of Representatives approved Fortun’s measure on the third and final reading.
“The balangay is a source of true national pride that should not be forgotten. It is time to formally include it in our roster of national symbols,” Fortun said.
He expressed hope that the bill will be passed by Congress and be enacted into law.
“The balangay deserves its rightful place not only in museums but also more importantly, in the consciousness of every Filipino. Declaring it as the county’s national boat will ensure that future generations of Filipinos will recognize the invaluable contribution of our forefathers in shaping our maritime tradition and passing on the values of solidarity, harmony, determination, and bravery,” Fortun said.
Balangay, also known as the “Butuan boat,” is a “symbol of the Filipino community’s character of unity, cooperation, determination and resilience,” he pointed out. (Charissa L. Atienza)
