THIRTEENTH CONGRESS OF THE 
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES. 
First Regular Session 
INTRODUCED BY HON. MANUEL B. VILLAR JR. 
EXPLANATORY NOTE 
Under present laws, workers are entitled to health, safety and social welfare benefits 
(Articles 156-209, Labor Code, as amended; and P.D. 1146, as amended). They are also entitled 
to weekly rest periods (Article 91, Labor Code) to rejuvenate them both mentally and physically. 
t 
Under prevailing urban conditions, however, it appears that enjoyment by workers and 
their families of their rest days have been less than pleasurable. Even a cursory survey of the 
urban landscapes reveals that there are no accessible and affordable public places or parks where 
the workers and their families could enjoy themselves during their periods of rest and recreation. 
Under the present conditions, workers and their families are constrained to go “malling” in the 
various metropolitan shopping centers whose open areas afford them some breathing spaces. 
This Bill seeks to establish public recreational parks in the major urban centers as the 
goveiiiment’s initial response to the demand for such facilities. 
Passage of this Bill is earnestly recommended. 
MANUEL B. V LLAR, JR. 
I 


I 
J
-
 
“
‘
-
-
.
J
 
THIRTEENTH CONGRESS OF THE 
*i: 
i. -’ 
r’u’ 
v , 4 .-‘L 
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES f 
Fimt Regular Session 
SENATE 
S. No. 
INTRODUCED BY HON. MANUEL B. VILLAR JR. 
AN ACT ESTABLISHING PUBLIC RECREATIONAL PARKS IN MAJOR URBAN 
AREAS, APPROPRIATING FUNDS THEREFOR AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES 
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the Philippines in Congress 
ossein bled: 
SECTION 1. Declaration of Policy. - It is here by declared a policy of the government to 
provide adequate social services, promote social justice and the welfare of the workers and their 
families. 
SEC. 2. Establishment of Public Recreatioiial Parks. - Pursuant to the policy enunciated 
iii Section 1 hereof, there is hereby established and maintained at least one (1) Public 
Recreational Park in every inajor urban center including, but not limited to, Metro Manila, Metro 
Cebu and Metro Davao. Such Public Recreational Park shall comprise a picnic area and such 
other outdoor and indoor sports, health and recreational facilities as may be determined by the 
administering body hereafter designated in consultation with the appropriate government 
agencies, and workers’ and einployers groups. 
SEC. 3. Administering Body, - The President of the Philippines is hereby authorized to 
designate the administering government body to operate and maintain the public recreational 
parks herein established. Such administering body shall inalte such public recreational parks 
available to the workers and their families and the public at large at reasonable cost. 


SEC. 4. Tax Exemptions. - Notwitlistaiidiiig any provision of law to the contrary, the 
income, properties, gifts, donations and contributioiis that may be received by tlie administering 
body for 'the exclusive use and benefit of such public recreational parks shall be free from taxes, 
duties and other assessments. Provided, that such gifts, donations and contributions shall 
likewise be deductible from the taxable income of the donor. 
SEC. 5. Funding. - For the effective implementation of this Act, the government shall 
allocate the following funds: 
a. Thirty percent (30%) of tlie gross eaniiiigs of the Philippiiie Tourism Authority; and 
b. Such amounts as may be determined by the respective governing Boards of the Overseas 
Workers Welfare Administration and Employees Compensation Commission. 
SEC. 6. Separability Clause. - If any provision of this Act or the application of such 
provision to., any person r, circumstance is held invalid for any reason, the remainder of this Art 
or the application of such provision to other persons o circumstances shall not be affected 
thereby. 
SEC. 7. Repealing Clause. - All laws, orders, issuance, rules -and regulations or pai-ts 
thereof incoiisisteiit with the provisioiis of this Act are hereby repealed, amended or modified 
accordingly. 
SEC. 8. Effectivity Clause. - This Act shall t take effect fifteen (15) days after its 
complete publication in the Official Gazette or in at least two (2) national newspapers of general 
circulation. 
Approved,