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Republic of the Philippines 
 House of Representatives 
Constitution Hills, Batasan Complex, Quezon City 
NINETEENTH CONGRESS 
First Regular Session 
House Bill No. ____________ 
Introduced by Representatives EDDIEBONG G. PLAZA and ALFEL M. BASCUG 
Explanatory Note 
In this rapidly changing world, culture aids social communities in maintaining and 
promoting their identity and character. People's culture and sense of identity often suffer as a 
result of globalization. In order to give individuals long-term stability and a feeling of identity, 
it is essential to conserve cultural symbols like artifacts and objects. 
The best way to depict the identity of cultural community is through cultural artifacts 
and objects. They are pieces of material culture that are anchored to the past and stir up 
recollections. The 21-karat Hindu or Buddhist deity statuette, better known as the Golden Tara, 
was found in 1917 by a Manobo woman named Bilay Campos on a muddy bank of the Wawa 
River in Esperanza, Agusan del Sur. It is a testament to the elaborate and complex culture and 
society of pre-colonial Agusan del Sur.  
There was speculation that the Golden Image was created as a trade item for the 
Buddhist Empire of Sri Vijaya. The image demonstrates the craftsmanship of early Agsurnon 
and their trade links with the early Southeast Asian empire, indicating its historic and cultural 
value. The Golden Tara’s iconographic attributes may have been a subject of debate as to 
whether it belongs to the Hindu and Buddhist pantheon, but its certain that it is discovered in 
Agusan del Sur. The image was believed to have come from the upriver areas of the province 
and was carried away downstream by a flood to where it was found, at the riverbank of 
Esperanza.  
Locals from Esperanza created a historical marker where the significant cultural relic 
was found. In order to increase local tourism in the region, the local community has taken the 
effort to establish their legitimate claim to the well-known Golden Tara. Recognizing the efforts 
of the local community, this bill was filed in the 18th Congress. The bill was approved by the 
House of Representative and was duly transmitted to the Senate. 
July 1, 2022
9:11 am
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In view of the foregoing, the passage of this bill is hereby earnestly soughh 
              ALFEL M. BASCUG 
EDDIEBONG G. PLAZA 
 1ST District, Agusan del Sur 
2nd District, Agusan del Sur 


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Republic of the Philippines 
 House of Representatives 
Constitution Hills, Batasan Complex, Quezon City 
NINETEENTH CONGRESS 
First Regular Session 
House Bill No. ____________ 
Introduced by Representatives EDDIEBONG G. PLAZA and ALFEL M. BASCUG 
AN ACT DECLARING THE PROVINCE OF AGUSAN DEL SUR AS THE 
HOME OF THE GOLDEN TARA 
Be it enacted by the Senate and the House of Representatives of the Philippines in 
Congress assembled: 
SECTION 1.  It is the policy of the State to promote and promote historical and cultural 
artifacts. 
SECTION 2. The Province of Agusan del Sur is hereby declared as the Home of the 
Golden Tara. 
            SECTION 3. The Golden Tara shall refer to the 21-karat gold statuette of a female 
Hindu deity which was found in 1917 on the banks of the Wawa River in the Municipality of 
Esperanza, Province of Agusan del Sur.  
SECTION 4. The Province of Agusan del Sur in coordination with the Department of 
Tourism (DOT), shall take immediate steps to incorporate this Act in the Department’s overall 
tourism development program for the ensuing year. They shall likewise promulgate the 
necessary rules and regulations for the proper implementation of this Act. 
SECTION 5.  This Act shall be effective fifteen (15) days after its publication in the 
Official Gazette or in at least two newspapers of general circulation. 
Approved, 
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