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Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES.
Constitution Hills, Quezon City

TWENTIETH CONGRESS
First Regular Session

HOUSE BILL NO. 3311

Introduced by Representative VINCENT FRANCO D. FRASCO

EXPLANATORY NOTE

This bill seeks to declare the Bagacay Point Lighthouse in the Municipality of Liloan,
Province of Cebu, as a tourist destination of the Philippines.

The proposed measure is similar to House Bill No. 105, substituted by House Bill No.
7551, which waw previously filed in the 19 Congress and approved by the House on May 09,
2023. It was transmitted to the Senate on May 10, 2023. However, up to the present, the proposal
has not materialized,

Section 1, Article XII of the 1987 Philippine Constitution provides that the goals of the
national economy are a more equitable distribution of opportunities, income, and wealth; a
sustained increase in the amount of goods and services produced by the nation for the benefit of
the people; and an expanding productivity as the key to raising the quality of life for all, especially
the underprivileged.

Furthermore, Republic Act No. 9593 or the Tourism Act of 2009 declared tourism as an
indispensable element of the national economy that shall spur socio-economic growth, investment
and employment in the country.

Liloan is a first class municipality in the province of Cebu, with a total population of
153,197 residing in its 14 barangays, and a total land area of 5,210 hectares as per the 2020
Philippine National Census. On September 2020, a census was conducted by the Philippine
Statistics Authority. It is home to a number of industries, such as livestock and vegetable farming,
baking, ceramics, and manufacturing, among others. It is also home to some of the best delicacies
in the Philippines, such as rosquillos and masi.

Notably, Liloan is home to several natural and man-made tourist attractions, particularly,
the Bagacay Point Lighthouse, which the locals call as the Parola sa Liloan.

‘The Bagacay Point Lighthouse was erected under the administration of Governor William
Howard Taft in 1904. The Lighthouse is 72 feet tall and gives light up to 17 nautical miles. It is an

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active lighthouse that served as a guide to sea vessels that pass through the Northeast portion of
the Cebu Harbor since 1905, and has continued to do so for over a hundred years. The Bagacay
Point Lighthouse is one of the few remaining lighthouses that show American architecture in the
country, and was declared a National Historical Marker last August 13, 2004. The lighthouse is
the reason why Liloan was given the nickname, “The Light of the North.”

In this light, the Bill was filed which declares the Bagacay Point Lighthouse as a tourism
destination in the Philippines and a tourist spot in the Fifth District of the Province of Cebu.

The declaration of this lighthouse as a tourism destination will bring in the surge of tourists,
in the area, whether foreign or domestic, and will bring in significant economic gains in the
province.

In view of the foregoing, approval of this Bill is earnestly requested.

VINCENT FRANCO D. FRASCO

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Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Constitution Hills, Quezon City

TWENTIETH CONGRESS
First Regular Session

HOUSE BILL No. 3311

Introduced by Representative VINCENT FRANCO D. FRASCO

AN ACT
DECLARING THE BAGACAY POINT LIGHTHOUSE IN THE MUNICIPALITY OF
LILOAN, PROVINCE OF CEBU, AS A TOURIST DESTINATION, PROVIDING FOR
ITS DEVELOPMENT, AND APPROPRIATING FUNDS THEREFOR

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

Section |. The Bagacay Point Lighthouse located in the Municipality of Liloan, Province
of Cebu, is hereby declared a tourism destination. Pursuant thereto, its development shall be
prioritized and supported by the Department of Tourism (DOT), subject to the rules and regulations
governing the development of tourism destinations.

Section 2. Within one (1) year after the approval of this Act, the municipal government of
Liloan shall, in coordination with the DOT and concerned agencies of the government, prepare a
tourism development plan that shall include the construction, installation and maintenance of such
appropriate infrastructure and facilities to enhance tourism in the area: Provided, That said
development plan shall ensure the preservation of the historical significance of the area: Provided,
further, That the implementation of the tourism development plan shall be included in the budget
of the municipal government of Liloan.

Section 3. The DOT shall assist the municipal government of Liloan in the implementation
of the tourism development plan by providing technical assistance in tourism capacity building. It
shall also include the Bagacay Point Lighthouse in its national and regional promotion programs.

Section 4. The Secretary of Tourism shall include in the DOT'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.

The funding for the implementation of this Act shall be included in the annual budget of

the municipal government of Liloan. The DOT may augment such allocation with internally-
generated funds.

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Section 5. Within sixty (60) days from the effectivity of this Act, the municipal government
of Liloan shall, in consultation with the DOT and concemed agencies of the government,
promulgate rules and regulation to implement this Act.

Section 6. All iaws, regulations, presidential decrees and other issuances inconsistent with
any of the provisions of this Act are hereby deemed repealed or amended accordingly.

Section 7. This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after publication in the Official
Gazette or in a newspaper of general circulation.

Approved,

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