Republic of the Philippines
House of Representatives
Quezon City

Eighteenth Congress
First Regular Session

House Bill No. 0233

Introduced by Representative Estrellita B. Suansing

EXPLANATORY NOTE

Saint John the Baptist is the patron saint of Brgy. Bibiclat, Aliaga,
Nueva Ecija. The devotion to St. John the Baptist traces its roots during the
Japanese occupation in World War Il. It is said that when Japanese soldiers
were to execute all the men in the barangay in retaliation for the death of their
compatriots, the villagers prayed hard for their loved ones to be saved. When
the men were to be executed, it rained so hard that the captives had to be
herded into the church, where later, some of the Japanese soldiers were
convinced that the rain was a sign of disapproval from heaven. The residents
attributed this miracle to St. John the Baptist and have vowed to pay homage
to the saint since then.

On the saint’s feast day, celebrated every 24% of June, Bibiclat
welcomes thousands of tourists, pilgrims and devotees. These people
participate in the unique religious event called Pagsasa Juan, or more
popularly known as the Taong Putik Festival. This event is covered by national
news and wire media every year.

On August 29, 2013, Saint John the Baptist Church was declared a
diocesan shrine; the declaration rite was led by Cabanatuan City Bishop
Sofronio Bancud, together with parish priest Rev. Fr. Carlos Padilla and other
members of the clergy.

Being declared a diocesan church means that Bibiclat’s patron saint,
St. John the Baptist, is a miraculous patron. With this declaration, it is
estimated that more pilgrims and tourists will visit Bibiclat, Aliaga not only
during the feast of St. John the Baptist and religious occasions, but also the
whole year round.

This bill, therefore, aims to declare the Diocesan Shrine of St. John the
Baptist Church (Taong Putik Dambana ni San Juan Bautista) in Brgy.


Bibiclat, Aliaga, Nueva Ecija as a pilgrimage site and tourist destination
mandating the Department of Tourism and its attached agencies, in
coordination with the Department of Public Works and Highways, and in
consultation with the local government unit of Aliaga, to come up with a
comprehensive development plan for the improvement of the Taong Putik
Dambana ni San Juan Bautista, all areas attached to it, and all roads leading
to and from it.

This bill was filed as HB No. 6759 and passed on Third and Final

Reading during the 17% Congress. In view of the foregoing, the immediate
passage of this bill is earnestly sought.

‘LLITA B. SUANSING


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10

Republic of the Philippines
House of Representatives
Quezon City

Eighteenth Congress
First Regular Session

House Bill No. 0293
Introduced by Representative Estrellita B. Suansing

AN ACT
DECLARING THE DIOCESAN SHRINE OF SAINT JOHN THE
BAPTIST CHURCH, ALSO KNOWN AS THE TAONG PUTIK DAMBANA NI
SAN JUAN BAUTISTA, IN BARANGAY BIBICLAT, ALIAGA, PROVINCE
OF NUEVA ECIJA A PILGRIMAGE SITE AND TOURIST DESTINATION,
PROVIDING FOR ITS DEVELOPMENT AND APPROPRIATING FUNDS
THEREFOR

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

SECTION 1. The Diocesan Shrine of Saint John the Baptist Church, also
known as the Taong Putik Dambana ni San Juan Bautista, is hereby
declared a pilgrimage site and tourist destination. As such, its
development shall be prioritized by the Department of Tourism (DOT)
and other concerned agencies and shall be subject to the rules and
regulations governing the development of pilgrimage sites and tourist
destinations.

SEC. 2. The technical description of the Diocesan Shrine of Saint John
the Baptist Church, being declared a pilgrimage site and tourist
destination are as follows:

LINES BEARINGS DISTANCES
1 2 S$ 65° 38' W 16.41 m.
2 3 S$ 60° 52’ W 34.75 m.
3 4 N 26° 08' W 14.76 m.
4 5 N29°O1'W 50.91 m.
5 6 N58° 10'E 56.24 m.
6 7 S 29° 08' E 25.66 m.
7 8 S$ 25° 54° E 20.26 m.
8 9 S 26° 16 E 24.24 m.


warvausune

9 1 S$ 67° 37° W 3.62 m.
TIE LINE: N 43° 35' E, 3872.57 M.
FROM: BLLM NO. 1
ALIAGA CADASTRE TO COR. - 1

SEC. 3. Within one (1) year after the approval of this Act, the DOT, in
coordination with the Department of Public Works and Highways
and other concerned agencies of the government shall prepare a
tourism development plan involving the construction, installation
and maintenance of such appropriate facilities and infrastructure
that shall improve the overall feature of the area thereby ensuring the
accessibility and security of pilgrims and tourists: Provided, That
said development plan shall ensure the preservation and conservation
of the historic significance of the area.

SEC. 4. The DOT and its attached agencies shall take immediate
steps to implement the tourism development plan that will suit the
needs of the Diocesan Shrine of Saint John the Baptist Church and shall
incorporate the same in its overall development plans and programs
for national implementation.

SEC. 5. 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 from internally
generated funds of the DOT.

SEC. 6. Within sixty (60) days from the effectivity of this Act, the DOT,
in consultation with the local government unit of Aliaga, shall
promulgate the necessary rules and regulations for the proper
implementation of this Act.

SEC. 7. This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after its publication
in the Official Gazette or in any newspaper of general circulation.

Approved,