Republic of the Philippines  
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES 
Quezon City  
EIGHTEENTH CONGRESS 
Third Regular Session  
HOUSE BILL NO. _________ 
Introduced by Representative Mercedes “Didi” C. Cagas 
AN ACT  
DECLARING THE CITY OF DIGOS IN THE PROVINCE OF DAVAO DEL SUR 
A CULTURAL HERITAGE ZONE 
EXPLANATORY NOTE 
It is the policy of the State to conserve, develop, promote, and popularize the nation’s 
historical and cultural heritage and resources, as well as its artistic creations.  It further provides 
that all the country’s artistic and historic wealth constitute the cultural treasure of the nation 
and shall be protected by the State, which may regulate its disposition. 
The historical development of Digos City in Davao Del Sur displays various degrees of 
significant events which led to its transformation into a politically and economically 
competitive city in the Davao Region.  Being the crossroad to of three major cities in Mindanao 
– Davao City in the North, Kidapawan City in the west, and General Santos City in the south.
Digos City served as a gateway for various ethnic groups and migrants and a melting pot of
historical and cultural transformation which shaped the values, beliefs customs and traditions
of the people of Davao Del Sur.
The proposed bill seeks to declare the City of Digos in the Province of Davao Del Sur 
as a cultural heritage zone to preserve the cultural heritage of the City so that the future 
generation can also appreciate and learn from its past, traditions, way of life, values and beliefs. 
This representation believes that cultural heritage provides an irrefutable connection to the past 
and is central in establishing one’s identity.  
It is for the foregoing reason that the immediate passage of this bill is earnestly sought. 
MERCEDES “DIDI” C. CAGAS 
August 31, 2021
11:53 am
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Republic of the Philippines  
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES 
Quezon City  
EIGHTEENTH CONGRESS 
Third Regular Session  
HOUSE BILL NO. _________ 
Introduced by Representative Mercedes “Didi” C. Cagas 
AN ACT  
DECLARING THE CITY OF DIGOS IN THE PROVINCE OF DAVAO DEL SUR 
A CULTURAL HERITAGE ZONE 
Be it enacted by the Senate and the House of Representatives of the Philippines in Congress 
assembled:  
SECTION 1. This Act shall be known as the “Digos City Cultural Heritage Zone Act”. 
SEC.  2. The Constitution mandates the State to conserve, develop, promote, and popularize 
the nation’s historical and cultural heritage and resources, as well as its artistic creations.  It 
further provides that all the country’s artistic and historic wealth constitute the cultural treasure 
of the nation and shall be protected by the State, which may regulate its disposition.  
Towards this end, the promotion and preservation of the cultural and historical 
landmarks that highlight the uniqueness and beauty of Digos City shall be pursued in the 
development and management of its tourism industry, cultural heritage and sources. 
SEC. 3. The City of Digos in the Province of Davao Del Sur is hereby declared a cultural 
heritage zone.  As such, it shall be accorded priority development by the Department of 
Tourism (DOT), in coordination with the City Government of Digos and other concerned 
agencies of the government, and shall be subject to the rues and regulations governing the 
conservation and preservation of cultural heritage zones. 
As used in this Act, cultural heritage zones refer to historical, anthropological, 
archaeological, artistic geographical areas and settings that are culturally significant to the 
country.  
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SEC. 4. The DOT, in coordination with the National Commission for Culture and the Arts 
(NCCA), Tourism Infrastructure and Enterprise Zone Authority (TIEZA), National Historical 
Commission of the Philippines (NHCP), National Museum of the Philippines (NMP), 
Provincial Government of Davao Del Sur, and the City Government of Digos, shall 
immediately prepare the development plan involving the preservation, conservation, 
restoration, and maintenance of cultural and historical sites and structures for the enhancement 
of tourism in Digos City: Provided, That the NCCA shall approve only those methods and 
materials that strictly adhere to the accepted international standards of conservation and 
restoration works, as provided for in Section 15 of Republic Act No. 10066, otherwise known 
as the “National Cultural Heritage Act of 2009”.  
SEC. 5. Within sixty (60) days from the effectivity of this Act, the DOT, in coordination with 
the NCCA, TIEZA, NHCP, NMP, Provincial Government of Davao Del Sur, and the City 
Government of Digos, shall promulgate the necessary rules and regulations for the effective 
implementation of this Act.  
SEC. 6. This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after its publication in the Official Gazette 
or in a newspaper of general circulation.   
Approved,