EIGHTEENTH CONGRESS )
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES )
First Regular Session )

HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

“introduced by Representati © Ruts ® Ro

House Bill No.

EXPLANATORY NOTE

This bill was filed during the 17" Congress and was approved by the House of
Representatives.

The Dracontomelon dao tree or the Dao tree as it is known in the country is @ tropical
canopy tree that could grow as high as 45 metres or 148 feet. It has 2 greyish-brown trunk
unich is branchiess up to about 20 m (66 ft) and has narrow buttresses which can reach up
its trunk up to 6m (20 ft) high. This tree is native to the riverine an limestone forests of
I reodia’ China’ India, Indonesia, Malaysia, Myanmar, Papua New Guinea, Philippines,
Solomon Islands, and Thailand.

in the Philippines. one of the biggest and oldest Dao tree can be four Cagayan
de Oro City. particularly within @ pocket secondary forest in Me integrated Forest
Management Agreement (FMA) aree of the E. Pelaez Ranch Bayombong, Barangay
Cugman. At present, this Dao tree in 49 meters high and nas a diameter of 2228
centimetres itis estimated to be more than 200 years old.

itis imperative that the tree be declared the heritage tree of Cagayan de Oro City in
order to ensure its long term protection. it can also be an adcitional tourist attraction for the
city

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

RUFPS B. RODS


EIGHTEENTH CONGRESS )
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES )
First Regular Session )

HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

~paeauced by Representative Rufus B. Rodriguez ——_—_
2792

House Bill No-

AN ACT
DECLARING THE DAO TREE LOCATED WITHIN A POCKET SECONDARY FOREST IN
THE INTEGRATED FOREST MANAGEMENT AGREEMENT (IFMA) AREA OF THE E.
PELAEZ RANCH IN BAYOMBONG, BARANGAY CUGMAN, CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY
[AS THE CAGAYAN DE ORO HERITAGE TREE AND A TOURIST ATTRACTION

he it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the Philippines in Congress
assembled.

SECTION 1. The Dao Tree, located within @ pocket secondary forest in the
Integrated Forest Management Agreement (FMA) area of the E. Pelaez Ranch in
Bayombong. Barangay Cugman, Cagayan de ‘Oro City, and which is estimated to be two
funared (200) years old, is hereby deciared the “Cagayan de Oro Heritage Tree’ and a
tourist attraction

SEC. 2 Within one (1) year after the approval of this Act. the Department of Tourism
(DOT), in coordination with the Cagayan de ‘Oro City Cultural Heritage Conservation
neil, the Tourism Infrastructure and Enterprise Zone Authority and other concemed
agencies of the government, shall prepare the tourism development plan involving the
eo ctruction, installation and maintenance of such ‘appropriate facilities and infrastructure
Chvch shall ensure its protection and enhance tourism i the area: Provided, That the
development shall ensure the tree's protection and preservation, and its promotion as @

tourist attraction

SEC. 3. The DOT shall take immediate steps to implement the tourism development
plan and incorporate the same in its tourism ‘development program for the ensuing calender

year.

SEC. 4. The Secretary of the DOT shall include in the Department's program the
implementation of this Act, the funding of which ‘shall be included in the annual General
‘Appropriations Act and internally generated funds of the DOT

SEC. 5 Within sixty (60) days from the effectivity of this ‘Act, the Secretary of the DOT
shall promulgate the necessary rules and regulations for its proper implementation

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

Approved.