Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES e
Quezon City, Metro Manila

NINETEENTH CONGRESS
First Regular Session

268

HOUSE BILL NO.

Introduced by Representative ANTONIO “TONYPET” T. ALBANO

EXPLANATORY NOTE

This bill seeks to declare the Saint Matthias Parish Church, Tumauini,
Province of Isabela as a tourist destination.

The construction of the Saint Matthias Parish Church began in 1783 and
was completed in 1805. Attached to the church's facade is a wedding cake-like
cylindrical bell tower and is one of the remaining cylindrical bell towers in the
Philippines. The church is famous for its baroque-style architecture. It has clay for
its wall finishing and interior ornamentation. The facade of the church is in
concentric circles and has details like flowers, foliage, surfaces, cherubs and
saints. The church was damaged during the Second World War in 1945 and was
renovated in 1950. In July 31, 2001, it was declared by the National Museum as
a National Cultural Treasure.

In order to conserve and preserve the architectural and cultural significance
of the church, the government, in coordination with the DOT should provide
assistance to develop it as tourist destination,

In view of the foregoing, the passage of this bill is earnestly sought.

ae

REP. ANTONIO “TONYPET” T. ALBANO.


CaN anean

10

12
13
4
15
16

Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Quezon City, Metro Manila

NINETEENTH CONGRESS
First Regular Session

HOUSE BILL NO. 248

Introduced by Representative ANTONIO “TONYPET” T. ALBANO

AN ACT
DECLARING THE IMMEDIATE ENVIRONS OF THE SAINT MATTHIAS PARISH
CHURCH LOCATED IN THE MUNICIPALITY OF TUMAUINI, PROVINCE OF
ISABELA, A TOURISM DESTINATION, AND APPROPRIATING FUNDS
THEREFOR

Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the Philippines in
Congress assembled:

Section 1. The immediate environs of the Saint Matthias Parish
Church located in the Tumauini, Province of Isabela, is hereby declared a
tourism destination. As such, the development of the immediate environs
of the St. Matthias Parish Church shall be prioritized by the Department of
Tourism (DOT), in coordination with the municipal government of Tumauini
and other concerned agencies, subject to the rules and regulations
governing the development of tourism destinations.

Section 2. Within one (1) year after the approval of this Act, the
DOT shall, in coordination with the Department of Public Works and
Highways (DPWH), The National Historical Commission of the Philippines
(NHCP), the municipal government of Tumauini and other concerned
agencies of the government, prepare a tourism development plan that shall
include the construction, installation and maintenance of such appropriate
facilities and infrastructure to improve the overall features of the immediate
environs surrounding the Saint Matthias Parish Church, thereby ensuring


14
15
16

its accessibility and the security of tourists: Provided, That said
development plan shall ensure the preservation and conservation of the
historical significance of the area.

Section 3. The DOT and its concerned agencies shall take immediate
steps to implement the tourism development plan for the immediate
environs of the Saint Matthias Parish Church and shall incorporate the same
in tourism development program for the calendar year immediately
succeeding the approval of this Act.

Section 4. The Secretary of DOT and the DPWH shall include in the
Departments’ program the implementation of this Act, the funding of which
shall be included in the annual General Appropriation Act and shall augment
such allocation with internally generated funds of the Department.

Section 5. Within sixty (60) days from the effectivity of this Act, the
DOT shall, in consultation with the municipal government unit of Tumauini,
Isabela promulgate the necessary rules and regulations for the proper
implementation of this Act.

Section 6. This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after its
publication in the Official Gazette or in a newspaper of general circulation.

Approved,