EIGHTEENTH CONGRESS OF THE ) 
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES ) 
Third Regular Session 
)
SENATE
S.B. No. 2336
,
July 27 2021
E-F LED
3:30 p.m.
T tf.iE;
Introduced by SENATOR IMEE R. MARCOS
AN ACT DECLARING THE CITY OF BUTUAN A HERITAGE TOURISM ZONE 
AND APPROPRIATING FUNDS THEREFOR
EXPLANATORY NOTE
Article XIV, Section 15 of the 1987 Constitution states that "xxx The State shall 
conserve, promote, and popularize the nation's historical and cultural heritage and 
resources, as well as artistic creations." Section 16 of the sarre article further provides 
that "AH 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."
Butuan City has a rich cultural heritage and a colorful history. It was recognized 
for its metallurgical industry and naval technology prior to colonization as the Kingdom 
of Butuan. The City was engaged in trading contacts with both Vietnam and China as 
early as the 10th century, according to ancient historical chronicles, notably those of 
the Chinese anal Song Shih. The discovery of the Balangay Boat, also known as the 
Butuan Boat is a proof to its advanced maritime technology. Further, archeologists also 
discovered artifacts, including gold jewelry, death masks, weighing scales, and 
porcelains, which led to the conclusion that Butuan was once a hub of trade and 
commerce.
During the colonial period, historical accounts show that Ferdinand Magellan 
ordered a mass to be held in Butuan on 31 March 1521, an Easter Sunday. The Bood 
Promontory, an eco-park located at the site of the mass, was built in commemoration 
of this significant historical Christian event, which is claimed to be the first in the 
country. The Banza Church Ruins are also part of Butuan's rich cultural history. The 
ruins are portions of a bell tower from a church built by Spanish friars in 1625, which 
is the first Christian church in Mindanao. Also, Barangay Bequibel and Bitor shell 
middens are even older than the preceding. Human habitation and civilization in 
Butuan can be traced back to the Neolithic Age, or approximately 7,000 years ago.


This bill therefore seeks to declare Butuan City as a heritage tourism zone. This 
wiii allow the Department of Tourism and other appropriate agencies to implement 
long-term programs that will promote and preserve Butuan's rich heritage while also 
providing the city with the necessary facilities and infrastructure for cultural tourism to 
thrive.
In view of the foregoing, the expeditious passage of this bill is earnestly sought.
IMEE R. MARCOS


:r»iE
EIGHTEENTH CONGRESS OF THE) 
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES ) 
Third Regular Session 
)
ftCLtiVtU ,
E-FILED C<:2 
[m fiATP:_Jyiy^27 202i ml
ICO
E-FILED 
date:.
7W.1E:.--3-:-30p-m-
SENATE
S.B. No. 2336
iw&e:
Introduced by SENATOR IMEE R. MARCOS
AN ACT DECLARING THE CITY OF BUTUAN A HERITAGE TOURISM ZONE 
AND APPROPRIATING FUNDS THEREFOR
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the Phiiippines in Congress 
assembled:
1 
SECTION 1. The City of Butuan is hereby declared a heritage tourism zone. As
2 
such, its development shall be prioritized by the Department of Tourism (DOT), in
3 
coordination with the National Historical Commission of the Philippines (NHCP), the
4 
National Museum of the Philippines, the National Commission for Culture and the Arts
5 
(NCCA) and other concerned government agencies, subject to the rules and
6 
regulations governing the development of tourism zones.
7 
The City of Butuan is rich with historical and cultural landmarks, rivers and
8 
mountain resources, indigenous communities, and other areas full of potentials for
9 
heritage, prehistoric and cultural tourism.
10 
SEC. 2. The City of Butuan, situated in Region XIII, CARAGA, is bounded on the
11 
North, Municipality of Magallanes, Municipality of Remedios T. Romualdez, Agusan del
12 
Norte and Butuan Bay; on the West, Municipality of Buenavista, Agusan del Norte; on
13 
the East, Municipality of Sibagat, Agusan del Sur; on the South, Municipality of Las
14 
Nieves, Agusan del Norte.
15 
The technical description of the City of Butuan which is being declared as heritage
16 
tourism zone is as follows:
17 
Beginning at the point marked 1 on the plan being S 43° 17' W, 920.67 m. from
18 
BLLM #1 CAD 668, Magallanes;
thence S 42054'E, 2900.17 m. to point 2; 
thence N 89° 59' E, 1877.92 m. to point 3; 
thence S 89° 59' E, 2743.11 m. to point 4; 
thence due North, 878.37 m. to point 5; 
thence due North, 1153.59 m. to point 6; 
thence due North, 5600.02 m. to point 7; 
thence S 78° 14' E, 10688.04 m. to point 8;
thence S 34° 45' W, 3472.10 m. to point 28; 
thence S 55° 42' W, 6585.79 m. to point 29; 
thence S 38° 00' W, 1460.99 m. to point 30; 
thence S 19° 06' E, 8985.89 m. to point 31; 
thence S 15° 12' E, 8769.37 m. to point 32; 
thence S 76° 17' W, 4366.72 m. to point 33; 
thence S 89° 50'W, 16070.73 m. to point 34;


thence N 89° 29' E, 1000.00 m. to point 9; 
thence N 89° 29' E, 1000.00 m. to point 10; 
thence N 89° 29' E, 1000.00 m. to point 11; 
thence N 89° 29' E, 500.00 m. to point 12; 
thence N 89° 29' E, 500.00 m. to point 13; 
thence N 89° 29' E, 500.00 m. to point 14; 
thence N 87° 42' E, 1408.24 m. to point 15; 
thence S 86° 19' E, 594.02 m. to point 16; 
thence N 89° 29' E, 1000.00 m. to point 17; 
thence N 89° 29' E, 3188.03 m. to point 18; 
thence S 34° 45' W, 2000.00 m. to point 19; 
thence S 34° 45' W, 2000.00 m. to point 20; 
thence S 34° 45' W, 1000.00 m. to point 21; 
thence S 34° 45' W, 1000.00 m. to point 22; 
thence S 34° 45' W, 1000.00 m. to point 23; 
thence S 34° 45' W, 500.00 m. to point 24; 
thence S 34° 45' W, 500.00 m. to point 25; 
thence S 34° 45' W, 1000.00 m. to point 26; 
thence S 34° 45' W, 1000.00 m. to point 27;
thence N 28° 51'W, 1204.81 m. to point 35; 
thence N 52° 26' W, 5489.15 m. to point 36; 
thence N 53° 37' W, 2816.24 m. to point 37; 
thence N 06° 44' W, 6622.50 m. to point 38; 
thence N 17° 56' E, 1624.13 m. to point 39; 
thence N 
16° 00' E, 500.00 m. to point 40;
thence N 
16° 00' E, 500.00 m. to point 41;
thence N 
16° 00' E, 999.97 m. to point 42;
thence N 
16° 00' E, 500.01 m. to point 43;
thence N 
16° 00' E, 500.00 m. to point 44;
thence N 
16° 00' E, 400.10 m. to point 45;
thence N 
16° 00' E, 400.10 m. to point 46;
thence N 
16° 00' E, 500.01 m. to point 47;
thence N 
16° 00' E, 500.10 m. to point 48;
thence N 15° 59' E, 5023.49 m. to point 49; 
thence N 05° 15' W, 4235.48 m. to point 50; 
thence N 58° 29' E, 6100.91 m. to point 51; 
thence S 67° 06' E, 1171.30 m. to point 1;
2 
The City of Butuan has an area of 829, 702, 477.50 sq. m. All points referred to
3 
are indicated on the plan and marked on the ground by Municipal Boundary
4 
Monuments and all points not otherwise described are concreie cylindrical monuments
5 
of 15 X 15 X 60 cm.
6 
SEC. 3. The DOT, in coordination with the Tourism Infrastructure and Enterprise
7 
Zone Authority (TIEZA), the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH), the
8 
NHCP, the National Museum of the Philippines, the NCCA and other concerned
9 
agencies of government, shall prepare a development plan for the City of Butuan, that
10 • shall provide for its development and maintenance, including improvement and
11 
restoration of sites, where appropriate, in conformity with set standards, construction
12 
of hotels, resorts, restaurants, recreational facilities and other appropriate facilities
13 
and infrastructure: Provided, That said development plan shall ensure the preservation
14 
of the cultural heritage and the historical significance of the area.
15 
SEC. 4. The DPWH shall coordinate with the DOT for the necessary construction
16 
and improvement of roads and other infrastructure projects upon promulgation of this
17 
Act, and incorporate the design, construction and funding of the same in its
18 
infrastructure program.


1 
The DOT shall take immediate steps to implement the development plan, and
2 
shall incorporate the same in the National Tourism Development Plan.
3 
SEC. 5. The Secretaries of the DOT and the DPWH shall include in their
4 
respective Department's program the implementation of this Act, the funding of which
5 
shall be included in the annual General Appropriations Act, and shall augment such
6 
allocation with internally generated funds of the DOT.
7 
SEC. 6. Within sixty (60) days from the effectivity of this Act, the Secretary of
8 
the DOT shall promulgate the necessary rules and regulations for the proper
9 
implementation of this Act.
10 
SEC. 7. All laws, rules, regulations, presidential decrees and other issuances
11 
inconsistent with any of the provisions of this Act are hereby deemed repealed or
12 
amended accordingly.
13 
SEC. 8. This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after its publication in the
14 
Official Gazette or in a newspaper of general circulation.
Approved,