TWENTIETH CONGRESS OF THE ) 
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES ) 
First Regular Session 
)
JIJL-9 P4;18
SENATE
S. No. 321
Introduced by Senator MANUEL "LITO" M. LAPID
AN ACT
DECLARING QUIAPO DISTRICT IN THE CITY OF MANILA A NATIONAL 
HISTORICAL - CULTURAL HERITAGE ZONE, APPROPRIATE FUNDS 
THEREFOR, AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES
EXPLANATORY NOTE
Quiapo is geographically situated at the heart of the City of Maniia. It serves as a major 
intersection for numerous public transportation iines, making it one of the most accessibie 
and bustling districts in the capital. Nearly everything in Quiapo is offered at enticing wholesale 
and retail prices. Its streets are lined with some of the city's most historic businesses, eateries, 
and publications.
In the article "Quiapo: A Historical Sketch", published by UP Digital Humanities, Michael 
Carlo C. Villas explains that the name "Quiapo" is derived from Kiapo (scientific name: 
Stratiotes or Pistia), a water plant resembling cabbage that once thrived abundantly in the 
esteros of Manila before the arrival of Spanish conquistadors and friars.
In Quiapo: Heart of Manila, Dr. Fernando N. Zialcita, anthropologist and professor at 
Ateneo de Manila University, wrote that during the Spanish colonial era, Quiapo was largely 
marshland and fishing ground, divided into small islands by streams and rivulets. The 
Franciscans were among the first missionaries to arrive, establishing what is now the Minor 
Basilica of the Black Nazarene, home of the revered Nuestro Padre Jesus Nazareno, patron of 
Quiapo, who draws millions of devotees every January 9. The Augustinians followed, 
establishing a chapel in honor of Saint Sebastian on the site where the present-day Minor 
Basilica of San Sebastian now stands.


In another article titled "Quiapo in the History of the Nation", published on the blog 
Quiapography, historian Pio Andrade Jr. recounts that during the early American colonial 
period, Quiapo rose as a hub for news publishing. Renowned publications such as El 
Renacimiento and the Philippines Free Press had their offices in the district.
Quiapo has also witnessed defining moments in modern political history. On August 
21, 1971, a bomb exploded in Plaza Miranda—right in front of the Quiapo Church—during a 
Liberal Party rally, injuring several senatorial candidates. Around the same period, the conflict 
in Mindanao led to the migration of many Muslim families to the area. The Globo de Oro 
neighborhood became home to a close-knit, peaceful, and industrious Islamic community, 
anchored by Masjid Al-Dahab, Manila's first mosque.
No telling of Quiapo's story would be complete without mention of its historic homes, 
the people who lived in them, and the events that shaped its identity. Quiapo holds one of 
the largest collections of heritage houses in the country—vital components of the city's and 
the nation's architectural and cultural legacy. These homes reflect a rich tapestry of life, art, 
history, and tradition. Understanding the social and personal narratives within these spaces 
enhances our appreciation of Quiapo's enduring relevance.
Preserving these historic structures is of paramount importance to our national 
heritage. Quiapo has borne witness to countless pivotal events in our country's history. To 
allow it to fall into neglect would be a failure of our duty to future generations of Filipinos.
DahH kinikilala natin ang kahalagahan ng Quiapo sa ating kuitura at kasaysayan, at 
ang di matatawarang ambag nito sa pambansang kaunlaran, nararapat lamang na ipakita ng 
pamahalaan ang tunay na pagpapahalaga sa pamamagitan ng pagtatalaga sa Distrito ng 
Quiapo biiang isang Historical and Cultural Heritage Zone.
This proposed bill seeks to establish a clear framework for the rehabilitation of the 
Quiapo District—one that promotes a wide range of attractions including recreational spaces, 
retail opportunities, and cultural experiences, all while preserving its historical and cultural 
integrity.
Moreover, the bill aims to generate substantial value for both the local and national 
economy, providing resources and legal safeguards to protect Quiapo as a Cultural Heritage 
Zone. Its success will hinge on proper implementation to stimulate investment, promote


sustainable tourism, and manage urban development.
Ultimately, this bill responds to the longstanding call of heritage conservationists and 
Quiapo's long-time residents to declare the district as a historical and cultural heritage zone, 
ensuring that its legacy endures for generations to come.
In view of the foregoing, early passage of this bill is earnestly sought.
MANUEL "LITO" M. LAPID
Senator


TWENTIETH CONGRESS OF THE ) 
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES ) 
First Regular Session 
)
JlJL-9 P4 ;18
S. No.
SENATE
321
h; ■
Introduced by Senator Manuel "Lito" M. Lapid
1 
AN ACT
2 
DECLARING QUIAPO DISTRICT IN THE CITY OF MANILA A NATIONAL
3 
HISTORICAL - CULTURAL HERITAGE ZONE, APPROPRIATE FUNDS
4 
THEREFOR, AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES
Be it enacted by the Senate and the House of Representatives of the Philippines 
in Congress assembled:
5 
SECTION 1. Tide. — This Act shall be known as the "Quiapo Heritage Zone
6 
Act".
7 
SECTION 2. Declaration of Policy. — It is hereby declared to be the policy of
8 
the State to undertake initiatives that will protect, preserve, conserve and promote
9 
the nation's historical and cultural heritage, property, and artistic creations.
10 
Toward this end, the State shall establish historical - cultural heritage zones
11 
following internationally-accepted standards, that improve, promote, and preserve the
12 
richness, quality, and exceptional culture of the Philippines and influence people's
13 
perceptions of our nation.
14 
SECTION 3. Coverage. — This Act shall apply to cultural properties ranging
15 
from cultural treasures, important cultural properties, heritage sites, historical shrines,
16 
historical monuments, historical landmarks, archaeological and traditional
17 
ethnographic materials, works of national heroes, marked structures, structures dating


1 
at least fifty (50) years old, and archival materials/documents dating at least fifty (50)
2 
years old within the Quiapo District in the City of Manila.
3 
SECTION 4. Quiapo National Historical and Cultural Heritage Zone. — The
4 
Quiapo District in the City of Manila is hereby declared a heritage zone as defined in
5 
Article II, Section 3 (q) and Article III, Sections 4 and 5 of Republic Act No. 10066,
6 
otherwise known as the "National Cultural Heritage Act of 2009".
7 
As such, it shall be accorded priority development by the Department of
8 
Tourism (DOT), in coordination with the Local Government of the City of Manila, the
9 
National Commission for Culture and the Arts (NCCA) and its affiliated cultural
10 
agencies. National Historical Commission of the Philippines (NHCP), Tourism
11 
Infrastructure and Enterprise Zone Authority (TIEZA), and the Department of Public
12 
Works and Highways (DPWH) and other concerned agencies of the government, shall
13 
be subject to the rules and regulations governing the conservation and preservation
14 
of heritage zones following internationally-accepted standards.
15 
For the purpose of this Act, the built heritage sites in the historical and cultural
16 
heritage zone shall include, but are not limited to the following:
17 
a. Minor Basilica of the Black Nazarene;
18 
b. Minor Basilica of San Sebastian;
19 
c. Masjid Al-Dahab, the Manila Golden Mosque and Cultural Center;
20 
d. Plaza del Carmen;
21 
e. Plaza Miranda;
22 
f. Quinta Market;
23 
g. Nakpil-Bautista House;
24 
h. Paterno House;
25 
i. Zamora House;
26 
j. Estrella House;
27 
k. Genato House;
28 
I. Zaragoza House;
29 
m. Iturralde House (Casa Consulado);
30 
n. Ocampo-Santiago House;


1 
o. Ocampo Pagoda Mansion;
2 
p. Padilla Art Gallery;
3 
q. Casa Boix (Teotico - Crespo House);
4 
r. La Electricista Site;
5 
s. Calle Hidalgo;
6 
t. Calle Arlegui;
7 
u. Calle Bautista;
8 
V. Calle Bilibid Viejo;
9 
w. Calle de Guzman; and
10 
X. Globo de Oro Street.
11 
SECTION 5. Quiapo Heritage Zone Development Plan. —The City Government
12 
of Manila shall prepare a comprehensive Quiapo Heritage Zone Development Plan. In
13 
the preparation of this plan, all the parties interested in protection, preservation,
14 
conservation, restoration and promotion of the city's cultural heritage, its property and
15 
histories into the preparation of the study and the development plan and ensure the
16 
participation of organizations and individual participants shall be consulted in public
17 
hearings and drafting sessions.
18 
The preparation of the plan shall be in coordination with Department of
19 
Tourism, the NCCA and its affiliated cultural agencies, NHCP, TIEZA, and the DPWH.
20 
Research shall be conducted on the heritage sites' architectural, artistic, social,
21 
political, and personal histories and incorporated into the plan in order to assist
22 
concerned government agencies and stakeholders with the process of adaptive reuse,
23 
the creation of manuals, and the identification of additional suitable business ventures
24 
that can be supported in the district.
25 
SECTION 6. Report and Review— Within the year of the implementation of this
26 
Act and each fiscal year thereafter, the City Government of Manila shall render an
27 
annual report to both houses of Congress. The City Government of Manila shall submit
28 
a report describing a summary of the following:
29 
a. the status of the Quiapo Historical and Cultural Heritage Zone under this Act;
3


1 
b. accomplishments of Quiapo Heritage Zone Development Plan established
2 
through this Act; and
3 
c. the types and volume of assistance and services provided to stakeholders
4 
within the Quiapo Historical and Cultural Heritage Zone.
5 
SECTION 7. Implementing Rules and Regulations (IRR). — Within ninety (90)
6 
days from the effectivity of this Act, the Department of Tourism, in coordination with
7 
the Local Government of the City of Manila, the NCCA and its affiliated cultural
8 
agencies, NHCP, TIEZA, and the DPWH, in consultation with the stakeholders, shall
9 
promulgate the necessary rules and regulations for the proper implementation of this
10 
Act.
11 
The City Council of the City Government of Manila shall pass a city ordinance
12 
to operationalize appropriately the management of the Quiapo Historical and Cultural
13 
Heritage Zone, including all the heritage site, national cultural treasures, important
14 
cultural property and archaeological and anthropological sites designated as intrinsic
15 
thereto, in accordance with the development plan and in line with the objectives and
16 
provisions of R.A. No. 10066 and this Act. The ordinance shall likewise include the
17 
metes and bounds of the Heritage Zone established pursuant to this Act.
18 
SECTION 7. Appropriations. — The amount necessary for the preservation,
19 
protection, study, restoration and promotion of the cultural and historical integrity of
20 
the geographical area represented by the Heritage Zone shall receive priority
21 
development attention, assistance, and funding from the DOT and its attached
22 
agencies, the NCCA and its affiliated cultural agencies, and from the DPWH subject to
23 
existing appropriate government rules and regulations.
24 
SECTION 8. Separability Clause. — In the event that any part, section or
25 
provision of this Act shall be declared unconstitutional or invalid by a competent court,
26 
the remaining provisions thereby shall remain valid and in full force and effect as if
27 
the sections or provisions so annulled or voided had never been incorporated herein.


1 
SECTION 9. Repealing Clause. — All laws, decrees, executive orders, issuances,
2 
rules and regulations, or parts thereof not consistent with the provisions of this Act
3 
are hereby repealed or modified and/or superseded as case may be by this Act
4 
accordingly.
5 
SECTION 10. Effectivity. — This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after its
6 
complete publication in the Official Gazette or in at least two (2) newspapers of general
7 
circulation, whichever comes earlier.
Approved,