Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
‘Quezon City, Metro Manila

20" CONGRESS.
Ist Regular Session

nouse auino.3488

Introduced by Representative SITTIE SHAHARA “BAI DIMPLE” |. MASTURA.

AN ACT
DECLARING THE IMMEDIATE ENVIRONS OF SULTAN HAJ! HASSANAL BOLKIAH MASJID, ALSO KNOWN
‘AS THE GRAND MOSQUE OF COTABATO, LOCATED IN BARANGAY KALANGANAN, COTABATO CITY AS
‘TOURISM DESTINATION

EXPLANATORY NOTE

The Sultan Haji Hassanal Bolkiah Masjid, also known as the Grand Mosque of Cotabato is a significant
landmark in the City of Cotabato, a living testament to the enduring spirit of the Muslim Ummah.

With the capacity to accommodate 15,000 people, the Sultan Haji Hassanal Bolkiah Masjid is the
largest mosque in the Philippines, designed by our very own Architect Felino Palafox with its
architecture inspired by classical and modern masjids in Turkey, Dubai and those along the Arabian
Gulf nations incorporated with indigenous Filipino Muslim cultural motifs.

More than just a place of worship, mosques are heritage sites which has successfully integrated
religion and culture, promoting Islamic history, the history of mosques, the surrounding Muslim
community, cultural diversity, understanding and mutual respect between religions.

‘The profound spiritual significance that Sultan Haji Hassanal Bolkiah Masjid holds for the Islamic
faithful draw worshippers and visitors alike, enhancing its potential as a tourism destination, that by
‘and large compliments the bustling economy and rich heritage of the City of Cotabato.

Tourism is an indispensable element and contributor to a country’s economy and in a world often
marked by division and strife, the Sultan Haji Hassanal Bolkiah Masjid proudly stands as a shining
beacon of faith, unity and cultural pride.

This bill seeks the declaration of the surrounding environs of the Sultan Haji Hassanal Bolkiah Masjid
as tourist destination, mandate DOT, DPWH, local government of Cotabato City and other concerned
agencies to prepare a comprehensive and complementary development plan for the surrunding
environs of the Gand Mosque of Cotabato.

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

SITTIE SHAHAR

‘Represe}

‘Maguindanao del


Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
‘Quezon City, Metro Manila

20" CONGRESS
Ast Regular Session

wouseauino.3498

Introduced by Representative SITTIE SHAHARA “BAI DIMPLE” |. MASTURA.

AN ACT

DECLARING THE IMMEDIATE ENVIRONS OF SULTAN HAJI HASSANAL BOLKIAH MASJID, ALSO KNOWN
‘AS THE GRAND MOSQUE OF COTABATO, LOCATED IN BARANGAY KALANGANAN, COTABATO CITY AS
‘TOURISM DESTINATION

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

Assembled:

SECTION 1. The immediate environs of Sultan Haji Hassanal Bolkiah Masjid, also known as the
Grand Mosque of Cotabato, located in Barangay Kalanganan, Cotabato City, are hereby declared as
tourism destination. Pursuant thereto, the development of the immediate environs of the Grand
‘Mosque of Cotabato shall be prioritized and supported by the Department of Tourism (DOT), subject

to the rules and regulations governing the development of tourism destinations.

‘SEC. 2. Within one (1) year after the approval of this Act, the local government unit of Cotabato City
shall, in coordination with the DOT and concerned agencies of the government, prepare a tourism

development plan that shall include the construction, installation and maintenance of such

appropriate infrastructure and facilities to improve the overall features of the immediate environs

surrounding the Grand Mosque of Cotabato, thereby ensuring its accessibility and security of tourists:
Provided, That said development plan shall ensure the preservation and conservation of the cultural
significance of the area: Provided further, That the implementation of the tourism development plan

shall be included in the budget of the local government unit of Cotabato City.


SEC. 3. The DOT shall assist the local government unit of Cotabato City in the implementation of
the tourism development plan by providing technical assistance in tourism capacity building. It shall
also include the immediate environs of the Grand Mosque of Cotabato in 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 Cotabato 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 Cotabato City
shall, in consultation with the DOT and concerned agencies of the government, promulgate the rules

and regulations to implement this Act.

SEC. 6. This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after its publication in the Official Gazette or in a

newspaper of general circulation.

Approved,