Republic of the Philippines 
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES 
Quezon City, Metro Manila 
NINETEENTH CONGRESS 
First Regular Session 
House Bill No.  _________ 
Introduced by Representative LORENZ R. DEFENSOR 
EXPLANATORY NOTE 
Pursuant to sections 14, 15, 16, and 17, Article XIV of the 1987 Constitution1, it 
is the mandate of the State to foster the preservation, enrichment, and dynamic 
evolution of Filipino culture based on the principle of unity in diversity in a climate 
of free artistic and intellectual expression; conserve, develop, promote and 
popularize the nation’s historical and cultural heritage and resources as well as 
artistic creations; protect the country’s artistic and historic wealth constitutes the 
cultural treasure of the nation; and recognize, respect, and protect the rights of 
indigenous cultural communities to preserve and develop their cultures, traditions, 
and institutions. 
This proposed measure seeks the restoration, preservation and protection of 
the Janiuay Public Cemetery by declaring it a National Cultural Treasure as defined 
under Republic Act No. 10066 or the “National Cultural Heritage Act of 2009”.  
Built between 1874 to 1888, the Janiuay Public Cemetery was established by an 
Augustinian friar, Fernando Llorente situated on an elevated ground with three (3) 
grand staircases leading to an octagonal-shaped mortuary chapel. The cemetery was 
built in a mixture of architectural styles and elements from Greco-Roman and 
Renaissance2, walled with ancient sandstone and bricks.3 
1 Sec. 14. The State shall foster the preservation, enrichment, and dynamic evolution of a Filipino 
national culture based on the principle of unity in diversity in a climate of free artistic and intellectual 
expression. 
Sec. 15. Arts and letters shall enjoy the patronage of the State. The State shall conserve, promote, and 
popularize the nation’s historical and cultural heritage and resources, as well as artistic creations. 
Sec. 16. All the country’s artistic and historic wealth constitutes the cultural treasure of the nation and 
shall be under the protection of the State which may regulate its disposition. 
Sec. 17. The State shall recognize, respect, and protect the rights of indigenous cultural communities 
to preserve and develop their cultures, traditions, and institutions. It shall consider these rights in the 
formulation of national plans and policies. 
2 Romantic mélange of architectural styles distinguishes Spanish-era cemetery of Janiuay, Iloilo | 
Inquirer Lifestyle 
3 https://en-academic.com/dic.nsf/enwiki/1002010 
September 14, 2022
8:16 am
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The Janiuay Public Cemetery is one of two (2) significant Spanish-era 
necropolis in the Province of Iloilo which was hailed as the country’s most artistic 
cemetery and was once featured in the national geographic magazine for its unique 
architectural design and history.4 However, the cemetery suffered from natural 
deterioration after being subjected to calamities, wars, and natural elements over the 
years requiring major restoration projects for the cemetery. 
 
For over a century, the Janiuay Public Cemetery served as a gateway for 
Janiuaynons to the past and one of the country’s most remarkable historical and 
cultural sites. The Janiuay Public Cemetery’s historical and architectural importance 
is truly irreplaceable and it is imperative for the State to prioritize its restoration and 
preservation for future generations.   
 
In view of the foregoing, the immediate passage of this bill is earnestly sought. 
 
 
 
 
 
 
LORENZ R. DEFENSOR 
 
Representative, 3rd District of Iloilo 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
4 https://www.exploreiloilo.com/do/info/janiuay-cemetery/ 


Republic of the Philippines 
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES 
Quezon City, Metro Manila 
NINETEENTH CONGRESS 
First Regular Session 
House Bill No. _________ 
Introduced by Representative LORENZ R. DEFENSOR 
1 
AN ACT  
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DECLARING THE JANIUAY PUBLIC CEMETERY AND ITS ADJOINING 
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STRUCTURES AS A NATIONAL CULTURAL TREASURE 
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Be it enacted by the Senate and the House of Representatives of the Philippines in Congress 
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assembled: 
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Sec. 1. This Act shall be known as the “Janiuay Public Cemetery Cultural 
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Treasure Act”. 
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Sec. 2. The Constitution mandates the State to foster the preservation, 
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enrichment, and dynamic evolution of Filipino culture based on the principle of 
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unity in diversity in a climate of free artistic and intellectual expression; conserve, 
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develop, promote and popularize the nation’s historical and cultural heritage and 
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resources as well as artistic creations; protect the country’s artistic and historic 
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wealth constitutes the cultural treasure of the nation; and recognize, respect, and 
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protect the rights of indigenous cultural communities to preserve and develop their 
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cultures, traditions, and institutions. 
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Towards this end, the promotion and preservation of the cultural and 
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historical landmarks that highlight the history and cultural treasures of the century-
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old  Janiuay Public Cemetery including all structures therein located in Janiuay, 
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Iloilo shall be pursued in the development and management of its tourism, cultural 
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heritage and resources. 
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Sec. 3. The Janiuay Public Cemetery including all structures established 
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therein located in Janiuay, Iloilo, is hereby declared a National Cultural Treasure as 
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defined in Section 3 (bb), Article II of Republic Act No. 10066 or the “National 
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Cultural Heritage Act of 2009”.  As such, it shall be accorded priority development 
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and preservation by the National Commission for Culture and the Arts, the 
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Department of Tourism and its affiliated cultural agencies, and other concerned 
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agencies of the government in coordination with the municipal government of 
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Janiuay and the Provincial Government of Iloilo, subject to the rules and regulations 
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governing the conservation and preservation of national cultural treasures as 
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provided in Republic Act No. 10066 and other laws. 
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Sec. 4. The Department of Tourism, the National Commission for Culture and 
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the Arts, and its affiliated cultural agencies in coordination with the municipality of 
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Janiuay and the Provincial Government of Iloilo, shall immediately prepare the 
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development plan involving the preservation, conservation, restoration and 
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maintenance of the Janiuay Public Cemetery including all cultural and historical 
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sites and structures therein for the enhancement and sustainability of tourism in the 
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municipality of Janiuay. Provided, that the NCCA shall approve only those methods 
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and materials that strictly adhere to the accepted international standards of 
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conservation in undertaking conservation and restoration works, as provided for in 
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Section 15 of Republic Act No. 10066.  
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Sec. 5. Within sixty (60) days from the effectivity of this Act, the DOT, in 
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coordination with the Provincial Government of Iloilo, the municipal government of 
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Janiuay, the NCCA and its affiliated cultural agencies, shall promulgate the 
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necessary rules and regulations for the effective implementation of this Act.  
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Sec. 6. This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after its publication in the 
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Official Gazette or in a newspaper of general circulation.  
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Approved, 
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