Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE 0F REPRESENTATIVES
Quezon City, Metro Manila
NINETEENTH CONGRESS
Second Regular Session
H6UsE BILL No.  8906
Introduced by Rep. Jaime R. Fresnedi
EXPLANATORY NOTE
This bill seeks to declare certain sites and structures of the National Bilibid Prison in
the City of Muntinlupa as cultural and historical landmarks and to provide for the preservation
of historical structure and monuments thereat.
Spanning a total of 551  hectares, the National Bilibid Prison (NBP) is located in the
NBP  Reservation,  Barangay  Poblacion,  Muntinlupa  City.     It  houses  the  biggest  prison
population in the Philippines. As of May, 2023, the Bureau of Corrections reports that there
are a total of 30,457 total number of inmates.
The NBP has a vast and rich history.   The Old Bilibid Prison was established in June
25, 1985 in Sta. Cruz, Manila and later was transfer to then "remote" area in Muntinlupa, then
a province of Rizal.   The construction began in 1936 and was finished in  1940, to which the
prisoners, equipment, and facilities were transferred to the new location.  Witnessing the World
War 11,  specifically the Japanese occupation of the Philippines and later the Commonwealth
Republic, the postwar era, the Martial Law, and the contemporary history, the NBP has an
enormous share in the history and culture of the country.
The NBP Reservation, with its immense land area which also includes within its walls
a lake, has a number of landmarks and areas which are worthy of appreciation due to their
cultural  value.   Its historically  significant scenery  and architecture  should be preserved and
maintained  for  future  generations.    Despite  its  dim  undertone  in  the  Filipino  psyche,  it  is
undeniable that the NBP deserves to be commemorated and valued.
These sites and structures are passive and silent witnesses in the important, albeit grim
events of our nation's history.  There is the Japanese Cemetery which, according to the Museo
ngM::urrdrirapal,  " is garden dedicated to Japanese soldiers who were imprisoned and executed
z.7? A4lw#/z.#/wpcr c7#rz.7zg /¢e wc77: " Many Japanese tourists visit the place to give respect to their
ancestors, hence, a Filipino-Japanese Peace Monument is also located in the area.
The Director's Quarters which serves as the official residence of the Director of the
Bureau of prisons is also another cultural structure.  Built simultaneously with the New Bilibid
Prison, the building boasts of a well-preserved pre-war architecture.


The NBP also has Jamboree Lake which is known to be the smallest natural lake in the
Philippines.  Museo ng Muntinlupa states that "the Jamboree Lake "served as a food production
unit for inmates from Cordillera, who developed the surrounding lands into terraces when they
were transferred to the NBP."  In the middle of the Jamboree lakes stands a long-standing statue
of the Lady of Justice.
Memorial Hill is also another historical site. This is the burial place of Major Eriberto
8. Misa Sr., former Bureau of prison Director who served for 12 years, making him the longest-
serving prison director up to this date.  It cradles a vintage Japanese cannon used during the
World War 11 and a grotto statue of Our Lady of Lourdes where regular masses in the early
1950s  were  held  before  the  establishment  and  installation  of  the  Our  Lady  of  Mercy
Chaplaincy.1
Lastly,  the Administration  Building  which  already  bears  the  NHCP  Marker  which
states:
" Ipinatayo alinsunod sa batas Komorowelt Bldg. 67 kapalit ng lumang
bilangguang  Bilibid  sa  Sta.   Cruz,   Maynila.     Ang  Pambansang
Bilangguan ay inilipat dito nuong Nobyembre 15,1940.  Ginamit na
kampo ng mga bilanggong sibilyang aksis na kinabibilangan ng 300
Hapon,  72 Aleman at ilang Italyano nang sumiklab ang ihalowang
digmaang  pandaigdig.      Nagsilbing  kampong   sanayan  ng  mga
sundalo ng bagong tatag na Sandatahang Hukbo ng Estados Unidos
sa Malayong Silangan (USAFFE).  Nilisan ng USAFFE pagdating ng
mga  Hapon  mula  sa  timog  na  nagbunga  sa  paglaya  ng  mga
bilanggong sibilyang aksis noong Disyembre  28,1941.   Ginamit ng
mga  Hapon na  bilangguan  ng  mga  kalabang  sundalo  at  gerilya.
Ilang ulit na nilusob ng mga gerilyang Filipino at kanilang nabowi
ito nuong 1945. Dito ipiniit ang naging pangulong Jose P.  Laurel at
si Jorge  8.  Wargas  dahil  sa bintang na pakikipagtulungan sa mga
Hapon.,,
On January 29,1999, the City Council of Muntinlupa passed the City Ordinance No.
99-020  which  identified  several  cultural  and  historical  landmarks  situated  within  the  its
jurisdiction.  Among them are the Jamboree Lake with the Liberty Statue, the Memorial Hill,
the N.B.P. Administration Building (Maximum Compound), the Japanese Cemetery, and the
Director' s Quarters.   The said Ordinance implemented the preservation, restoration, upgrade
and maintenance of the identified cultural and historical landmarks.
1 Museo ng Muntinlupa, "Did you know that five of the six declared historical landmarks of Muntinlupa
are  found  inside  the  New  Bilibid  Prison  (NBP)  Reservation  Compound?,"  Facebook,  October  5,  2020,
https://www.facebook.com/photo/?fbid=612162816121355&set=a.304128800258093.


Notwithstanding the Muntinlupa City Council  Ordinance,  it is deemed best to pass a
national   legislation  that  would   institutionalize  the  protection  and  preservation   of  these
historical landmarks and natural property of cultural significance.
In \.iew of the foregoing, the passage of this bill is earnestly sought.
Lone District, Muntinlupa City


Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE 0F REPRESENTATIVES
Quezon City, Metro Manila
NINHTEENTH CONGRESS
Second Regular Session
rfousEB|LLNO.8906
Introduced by Rep. Jaime R. Fresnedi
AN ACT
DECLARING CERTAIN SITES AND STRUCTURES OF THE NATIONAL BILIBID
PRISION   IN   THE   CITY   0F   MUNTINLUPA   AS   NATIONAL   LANDMARKS,
PROVIDING FOR THEIR PRESERVATION, CONSERVATION, MANAGEMENT,
MAINTENANCE,   OR   RECONSTRUCTION,   AND   APPROPRIATING   FUNDS
THEREFOR
Be  it  enacted by  the  Senate  and the  House  Of Representatives  Of the  Philippines  in
Congress assembled:
SECTION  1.  S7!orf  rzt/e.  -This  Act  shall  be known as the  "IVcr/j.o#cr/ Bz./I.bz.c7 P7.z.s'o#
Historical Landmarks Act" .
SEC. 2. Dec/cr7.cz/I.o7? o/Po/z.c);. -It is hereby declared the policy of the State to protect
and preserve its rich cultural heritage for the appreciation and education not only of present
and future generations of Filipinos, but for the whole world as well. Towards this end, measures
that ensure the achievement of this stated policy shall be pursued.
SEC.  3.  Scape  c7#d Covercrge.  -The  following  sites  and  structures  of the National
Bilibid Prison (NBP), located in the City of Muntinlupa, Metro Manila, are hereby declared as
a National Historical Landmarks.
1.  Administration Building (Maximum Compound);
2.  Japanese Cemetery;
3.  Director's Quarters;
4.  Jamboree Lake with Lady Justice Statue; and
5.  Memorial Hill (Grotto ng Mahal na Birhen ng Lourdes)
SEC. 4. Preservation, Conservation, Management, Maintenance, or Reconstruction. -
The National Historical Landmarks declared herein shall be preserved, conserved, managed,
maintained,  or reconstructed in accordance with the provisions of Republic Act No.  10066,
otherwise known as the "National Cultural Heritage Act of 2009,"   In case of transfer of the
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National Bilibid Prison, the responsibility for their preservation, conservation, management,
maintenance  or  reconstruction  shall  be  borne  by  the  local  government  of Muntinlupa,  in
cooperation with the NHCP.
SEC. 5. 4zapraprz.cz/z.o#f. -The anount necessary to carry out the provisions of this Act
shall come from the appropriations of the Bureau of Corrections.   In case of transfer of the
NBP,  such  amount,  shall  come  from  the  annual  appropriations  of the  city  government  of
Muntinlupa.
SEC. 6. Sepcrrczbz./i.ty C/cz#L5e. -If any part, section, or provision of this Act is declared
invalid or unconstitutional, the validity of the other provisions shall not be affected thereby.
SEC. 7. jzcpecz/i.77g C/cz"se. -All laws, decrees, orders, rules and regulations, or any part
thereof inconsistent with this Act are hereby repealed or modified accordingly.
SEC. 8. EJj7lec/z.vJ.ty. -This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after its publication in
the Official Gazette or in a newspaper of general circulation.
Approved,
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