Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Quezon City

EIGHTEENTH CONGRESS
First Regular Session

1075

HB. No.

Introduced by HON. LORD ALLAN JAY Q. VELASCO

EXPLANATORY NOTE

The province of Marinduque, dubbed as the “Heart of the Philippines”, is a heart-shaped
island in the Southern Tagalog Region. Coincidentally, the island is also the geographical
center of the archipelago and a stone marker marks its significance in Philippine
geography.

To signify that it is the geographical center of the Philippine archipelago, a marker has
been fixed in what is known as the Luzon Datum of 1911 or Station Balanacan. This piece
of stone marker is located on top of a hill that locals call Mataas na Bundok or Mt. Matas
in Barangay Hinanggayon, town of Mogpog. It is the primary geodetic reference or origin
of all geological surveys in the Philippines which means all maps and surveys made in
the country use the Luzon Datum as a reference point.

In other countries, their geographic centers have become tourist attractions due to their
creative initiative to build large stone monuments in these centers. Examples of these
countries are Japan, India, Taiwan, Australia and the United States of America.

With this current global trend of setting up monuments in their respective geographic
centers, it is the right time to convert the Luzon Datum of 1911 into a modern day tourist
spot. As such, the development of a large stone monument in the Luzon Datum is feasible
and beneficial, as it will help this country’s tourism and will also identify that the Luzon
Datum is a significant geographical point in the Philippine archipelago.

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

LORD \N JAY Q. VELASCO


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Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES,
Quezon City

EIGHTEENTH CONGRESS
First Regular Session

LB. No. CS

Introduced by HON. LORD ALLAN JAY Q. VELASCO

AN ACT DECLARING THE LUZON DATUM LOCATED IN THE MUNICIPALITY
OF MOGPOG, PROVINCE OF MARINDUQUE A TOURIST SPOT AND
APPROPRIATING FUNDS THEREFOR

Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the Philippines in Congress
assembled:
SECTION 1. The Luzon Datum in the Municipality of Mogpog, Province of Marinduque
is hereby declared as a tourist spot. As such, its development shall be prioritized by the
Department of Tourism (DOT), and shall be subject to the rules and regulations
governing the development of tourist spots. The DOT shall prioritize the establishment
of a tourist center to be known as the Luzon Datum Tourist Center.

SEC. 2. Within six (6) months after the approval of this Act, the DOT, in coordination
with the Tourism Infrastructure and Enterprise Zone Authority (TIEZA) and concerned
agencies of the government, shall prepare a tourism development plan involving the
construction, installation and maintenance of such appropriate facilities and
infrastructure as shall encourage tourism in the area: Provided, That said development
plan shall ensure the preservation and conservation of the natural beauty and historical

significance thereof.

SEC. 3. The DOT shall take immediate steps to implement the development plan and

incorporate the same in its tourism development program for the ensuing calendar 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 from internally-generated funds of the DOT.


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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 or in a newspaper of general circulation.

Approved,