FIFTEENTH CONGRESS )
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES )
THIRD REGULAR SESSION 7

HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

Introduced by Representative Rufus B. Rodriguez and
Representative Maximo B. Rodriguez, Jr.

6668

House Bill No.
EXPLANATORY NOTE

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. RO! UEZ

“Wy

My
MAXIMO B. ee JR.


FIFTEENTH CONGRESS )
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES )
THIRD REGULAR SESSION )

HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

Introduced by Representative Rufus B. Rodriguez and
Representative Maximo B. Rodriguez, Jr.

House BillNo. _ 6668

AN ACT
DECLARING THE DAO TREE WHICH CAN BE FOUND WITHIN A POCKET
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
HERITAGE TREE OF THE CITY AND FURTHER DECLARING IT A
TOURIST SPOT

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

SECTION 1. The Dao Tree estimated to be 200 years old in a pocket
secondary forest in the Integrated Forest Management Agreement (IFMA)
area of the E. Pelaez Ranch in Bayombong, Barangay Cugman, Cagayan de
Oro City is hereby declared and shall be known as the “Cagayan de Oro
Heritage Tree’. It is further declared to be a protected tree which has to be
nurtured and preserved and be a main tourist destination. As such, they shall
be accorded priority development by the Department of Tourism (DOT)

SEC 2. The DOT, in coordination with the Cagayan de Oro City Cultural
Heritage Conservation Council, the Tourism Infrastructure and Enterprise
Zone Authority (TIEZA) and other concerned agencies of the government,
shall, within one (1) year after the approval of this Act, prepare the
development plan involving the construction, installation and maintenance of
such appropriate facilities and infrastructure which shall ensure its protection
and enhance tourism in the said area: Provided, That said development shall
ensure the preservation and historic significance of the identified tourist
attraction.

SEC 3. The DOT shall take immediate steps to implement the said
development plan and incorporate the same in the Department's overall
tourism development program for the ensuing calendar year.

SEC 4. Appropriations - The amount necessary for the implementation of this
Act shall be included in the Annual Budget of the Department of Tourism
under the General Appropriations Act


SEC §. Implementing Rules and Regulations — The DOT shall likewise
promulgate the necessary rules and regulations for the proper implementation
of this Act.

SEC 6. This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after its publication in the
Official Gazette or in two (2) national newspapers of general circulation

Approved,