NINETEENTH CONGRESS OF THE ) 
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES ) 
First Regular Session 
)
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23 mar-1 P3:13
RECtIVcDBV
Introduced by SENATOR IMEE R. MARCOS
AN ACT
DECLARING CAGAYAN DE ORO RIVER AND ITS IMMEDIATE ENVIRONS 
LOCATED IN CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY, PROVINCE OF MISAMIS ORIENTAL A
CULTURAL HERITAGE ZONE
EXPLANATORY NOTE
Article II, Section 16 of the Philippine Constitution states that "the State shall 
protect and advance the right of the people to a balanced and healthful ecology accord 
with the rhythm and harmony of nature."
The Philippines is a country blessed with a million and one natural wonders, and 
when it comes to the great rivers that crisscross the country, few can match the 
grandeur of Cagayan de Oro River, a river that gives life, beauty and enjoyment to 
many.
Cagayan River, often called as Cagayan de Oro River, is one of the rivers draining 
the northern central part of the island of Mindanao in the Philippines. The river has its 
headwaters in the Kalatungan Mountain Range found in the central part of the province 
of Bukidnon. It traverses the Municipalities of Talakag, Baungon and Libona, picking up 
tributaries along the way. It finally empties into the Macajalar Bay at Cagayan de Oro 
City in the Province of Misamis Oriental.
The river serves as the natural boundary between the Province of Bukidnon and 
Iligan City and between Bukidnon and Cagayan de Oro City, based on the administrative 
order issued by the defunct Department of Mindanao and Sulu during the American 
occupation of the Philippines. In Cagayan de Oro City, it is the dividing line between its 
two Congressional districts.


Cagayan River is a very popular site for Whitewater rafting in the Philippines and 
has been promoted by the Department of Tourism as the main tourist attraction of 
Cagayan de Oro City.
Hence, this bill seeks to declare the Cagayan de Oro River as a Heritage Cultural 
River, to protect it from the threats of pollution, industrialization and other 
environmentally destructive activities of man. It is also important that the areas near 
the river be declared as a protected heritage zones in order to help preserve the several 
historical and archaeological sites and ecosystem of the land.
In view of the foregoing, the passage of this bill is earnestly sought.
yfrtEE R. MARCOS


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NINETEENTH CONGRESS OF THE ) 
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES ) 
First Regular Session 
)
SENATE
S.B. No. 1947
23 MAR-1 P3:13
RECEIVED BY;
Introduced by SENATOR IMEE R. MARCOS
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AN ACT
DECLARING CAGAYAN DE ORO RIVER AND ITS IMMEDIATE ENVIRONS 
LOCATED IN CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY, PROVINCE OF MISAMIS ORIENTAL A
CULTURAL HERITAGE ZONE
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the Philippines in Congress 
assembled:
SECTION 1. This Act shall be known as the "Cagayan de Oro River Cultural 
Heritage Zone Act".
SEC. 2. It is the policy of the State to administer its heritage and natural 
resources in a spirit of stewardship for the inspiration and benefit of the present and 
future generations. Towards this end, it shall be the duty of the State to conserve the 
natural diversity and integrity of the Cagayan de Oro River as well as its sites of historical 
and cultural importance.
SEC. 3. The Cagayan de Oro River and its immediate environs located in 
Cagayan de Oro City, Province of Misamis Oriental is hereby declared a cultural heritage 
zone. As such, it shall be accorded priority development by the Department of Tourism 
(DOT), in coordination with the Department of Environment and Natural Resources 
(DENR), the National Commission for Culture and the Arts (NCCA), the City Government 
of Cagayan de Oro, and other concerned agencies of the government, and shall be 
subject to the rules and regulations governing the conservation and preservation of 
cultural heritage zones.
As used in this Act, cultural heritage zone refers to historical, anthropological, 
archaeological, artistic geographical areas and settings that are culturally significant to 
the country.


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SEC. 4. Any activity that pollutes, destroys or adversely affects the 
archaeological, historical, cultural, ecological, and economic values of the Cagayan de 
Oro River and its environs is prohibited.
SEC. 5. Any person or entity which shall cause destruction to the archaeological, 
historical, cultural, ecological and economic values of the Cagayan de Oro River and its 
premises shall suffer a fine of not less than One Hundred thousand pesos (P100,000.00) 
but not more than Five million pesos (P5,000,000.00) and an imprisonment of one (1) 
to five (5) years.
SEC. 6. The DOT in coordination with the DENR, the NCCA, the Tourism 
Infrastructure and Enterprise Zone Authority (TIEZA), the National Historical 
Commission of the Philippines (NHCP), the National Museum of the Philippines (NMP), 
the City Government of Cagayan de Oro, and other concerned agencies of the 
government, shall immediately prepare the development plan involving the 
conservation, preservation, and development of Cagayan de Oro River Cultural Heritage 
Zone: Provide, That the development plan shall ensure the conservation and 
preservation of the Cagayan de Oro River and its environs and protect it from threats 
of pollution, industrialization, and other environmentally destructive human activities.
SEC. 7. The DENR shall conduct and execute a survey to determine the actual 
metes and bounds of the Cagayan de Oro River Cultural Heritage Zone.
SEC. 8. Within sixty (60) days from the effectivity of this Act, the DOT, in 
coordination with the DENR, the TIEZA, the NCCA, the NHCP, the NMP, the City 
Government of Cagayan de Oro, and other concerned agencies of the government shall 
promulgate the necessary rules and regulations for the effective implementation of this 
Act.
SEC. 9. This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after its publication in the 
Official Gazette or in a newspaper of general circulation.
Approved,