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NINETEENTH CONGRESS
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES
First Regular Session

Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Quezon City

HOUSE BILL noes 17

Introduced by Honorable Celso G. Regencia

The majestic Maria Cristina Falls in fligan and the grand Agus Rivers
crisscrossing the entire Lanao Provinces and lligan and its tributaries are not only
traditional areas but are also historical and cultural properties of the various peoples in
lligan City, Lanao del Norte, and Lanao del Sur.

It is the Almighty God, the Divine Providence, who created these natural
resources of which the great people of lligan, Lanao del Sur, and Lanao del Norte are
the foremost stewards of Maria Cristina Falls and the Agus River.

The identity, names, emotions, and feelings of the people along these natural
resources are closely linked to Maria Cristina Falls and the Agus River. No other people
in Mindanao or anywhere in the world are closely attached to these natural resources
except the people of liigan and the entire Lanao. They are the keepers of these natural
gifts and shall be the first to benefit from them.

The history, culture, way of life, and aspirations of the peoples in lligan, Lanao
del Norte, and Lanao del Sur are defined by Maria Cristina, Agus River, and including
Lake Lanao.

On June 14, 1952, in a meeting with the local leaders from lligan and Lanao
aboard the Presidential Yacht in Cagayan de Oro, President Elpidio Quirino who
spearheaded the construction of the Maria Cristina Hydroelectric Power made an
enduring promise to the local leaders that with the hydroelectric power, lligan and the
Lanao Provinces would become the premier industrial area in Mindanao.

That promise failed. That promise was never sustained by the national leadership
at the expense of the exploitation of Maria Cristina and the Agus River.

In this 19th Congress with the new Presidency of President Ferdinand R.
Marcos, Jr., the people of lligan are voicing out and will be persistent in claiming the


promise, to give preference to lligan City, Lanao del Norte, and Lanao del Sur from the
benefits, opportunities, and potentials of the hydroelectric power to development of
these areas and in improving the quality of life of the people.

As a host City, lligan is going to claim the promise of industrialization and
economic development in lieu of the natural wealth that was exploited.

To propel industrial and economic development, a 20% discount from the
prevailing electricity rates must be given to lligan City.

It is prayed that this proposed legislative measure yp
given utmost urgency in its approval.

NINETEENTH CONGRESS )
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES —)
First Regular Session


Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Quezon City

HOUSE BILL NO. 2317

Introduced by Honorable Celso G. Regencia
HOUSE BILL NO.

AN ACT
GUARANTEEING THE RIGHT TO THE NATURAL WEALTH AND GRANTING A
TWENTY PERCENT DISCOUNT (20%) IN THE ELECTRICITY RATES TO ALL
ELECTRIC CONSUMERS IN ILIGAN CITY, LANAO DEL NORTE, AND LANAO DEL
SUR BEING THE HOST CITY AND PROVINCES OF MARIA CRISTINA FALLS,
AGUS RIVER, AND LAKE LANAO

SECTION 1. TITLE. This Act shall be known as “The Maria Cristina Falls Act of
the Philippines”.

SECTION 2. HOST AREAS. lligan City, Lanao del Norte and Lanao del Sur are
the host City, the stewards, of the natural resources of Maria Cristina Falls, Agus River,
and Lake Lanao.

SECTION 3. RIGHT TO THE NATURAL WEALTH. It is guaranteed in this Act
the right of the people in lligan City, Lanao del Norte, and Lanao del Sur to enjoy the
natural wealth of Maria Cristina Falls, Agus River, and Lake Lanao.

SECTION 4. PRIVILEGE. The residential, commercial, and industrial electric
consumers in lligan City, Lanao del Norte, and Lanao del Sur must be granted a 20%
discount on electric rates compared to all other areas in Mindanao.

SECTION 5. ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT PREFERENCE. The National
Economic Development and the Mindanao Development Authority are mandated to give
preference to lligan City, Lanao del Norte, and Lanao del Sur in the economic
development being the host areas of this natural wealth.

SECTION 6. ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION. The National Power
Corporation shall be the foremost institution in leading the protection of Maria Cristina


Falls, Agus River, and Lake Lanao with close coordination with the local governments of
lligan, Lanao del Norte, and Lanao del Sur and the Department of Environment and
Natural Resources.

SECTION 7. EFFECTIVITY. This Act shall take effect after fifteen (15) days
following its publication in at least two (2) national newspapers of general circulation.

Approved,