TWENTIETH CONGRESS 
) 
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES ) 
First Regular Session 
) 
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES 
Introduced by Representative Rufus B. Rodriguez and 
Representative Maximo B. Rodriguez, Jr. 
House Bill No.  _____ 
EXPLANATORY NOTE 
This bill was approved by the House of Representatives during the 19th Congress. 
The Dracontomelon dao tree or the Dao tree as it is known in the country is a tropical 
canopy tree that could grow as high as 45 metres or 148 feet. It has a greyish-brown trunk 
which is branchless up to about 20 m (66 ft) and has narrow buttresses which can reach up 
its trunk up to 6 m (20 ft) high. This tree is native to the riverine and limestone forests of 
Cambodia, 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 found in Cagayan de 
Oro City, particularly within a pocket secondary forest in the Integrated Forest Management 
Agreement (IFMA) area of the E. Pelaez Ranch in Bayombong, Barangay Cugman. At 
present, this Dao tree in 49 meters high and has a diameter of 222.8 centimetres. It is 
estimated to be more than 200 years old.  
It is 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 additional tourist attraction for the 
city.  
In view of the foregoing, immediate passage of this bill is earnestly sought. 
 RUFUS B. RODRIGUEZ 
  MAXIMO B. RODRIGUEZ, JR. 
July 3, 2025
1:25 pm
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TWENTIETH CONGRESS 
) 
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES ) 
First Regular Session 
) 
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES 
Introduced by Representative Rufus B. Rodriguez and 
Representative Maximo B. Rodriguez, Jr. 
House Bill No.  _____ 
AN ACT 
DISTINGUISHING THE DAO TREE LOCATED WITHIN A 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 DECLARING IT A TOURIST ATTRACTION 
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the Philippines in Congress 
assembled: 
SECTION 1. The Dao tree, located within a secondary forest in the Integrated Forest 
Management Agreement (IFMA) area of the E. Pelaez Ranch in Bayombong, Barangay 
Cugman, Cagayan de Oro City, and which is estimated to be two hundred (200) years old, is 
hereby declared the “Cagayan de Oro Heritage Tree” and a tourist attraction. 
SEC. 2. Within one (1) year after the approval of this Act, the local government of Cagayan 
de Oro City shall, in coordination with the Department of Tourism (DOT), Department of 
Environment and Natural Resources, Cagayan de Oro City Cultural Heritage Conservation 
Council, Tourism Infrastructure and Enterprise Zone Authority and concerned agencies of the 
government, prepare a tourism development plan involving the promotion of the Cagayan de 
Oro Heritage Tree and the development of its immediate environs as a tourist attraction that 
shall include the construction, installation and maintenance of such appropriate infrastructure 
and facilities to enhance tourism in the area: Provided, That said development plan shall 
ensure the protection and preservation of the Dao tree: Provided further, That the 
implementation of the tourism development plan shall be included in the budget of the local 
government of Cagayan de Oro City. 
SEC. 3. The DOT shall assist the local government of Cagayan de Oro City in the 
implementation of the tourism development plan by providing technical assistance in tourism 
capacity building. It shall also include the Dao Tree in all its national and regional promotion 
programs. 
SEC. 4. The funding for the implementation of this Act shall be included in the annual budget 
of the local government of Cagayan de Oro City. The DOT may augment such allocation with 
internally-generated funds. 
SEC. 5. Within sixty (60) days from the effectivity of this Act, the local government of Cagayan 
de Oro City shall, in consultation with the DOT and concerned agencies of the government, 
promulgate rules and regulations to implement this Act. 
SEC. 6. All laws, rules, regulations, executive orders, presidential decrees and other 
issuances inconsistent with any of the provisions of this Act are hereby deemed repealed or 
amended accordingly. 
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SEC. 7. This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after its publication in the Official Gazette 
or in a newspaper of general circulation. 
 
Approved,