Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

Quezon City
SEVENTEENTH CONGRESS

Second Regular Session

House Bill No.6209

Introduced by HON. ROZZANO RUFINO B. BIAZON

EXPLANATORY NOTE

This bill proposes to appropriate the Rizal Memorial Sports Complex (RMSC) and its lands to
the National Museum (NM) in order to ensure the perpetuity of the RMSC as a cultural heritage. It also
authorizes the Chairman of the Board of Trustees of the NM to enter into a Memorandum of Agreement
with the Philippine Sports Commission for the management and day to day operations of the complex,
bearing in mind the preservation and conservation of the facility.

‘The Rizal Memorial Sports Complex (RMSC) located in Malate, Manila is one of the last
surviving pre-war structures in Metro Manila. It was originally conceived in 1921 for the purpose of
promoting athletics in the Philippines. The idea was to create a large-scale sports complex capable of
hosting not only local, but international sporting events. The plan was put into action and was completed
in 1934, in time for the country’s hosting of the 10 Far Eastern Games.

There is no doubt that the RMSC indeed bears historical significance not only in the City of
Manila where it is located, but to the entire Phi |. It has borne witness to both the
desolation of war and the triumph of the Filipino spirit in some of the grandest events in our history.
For thousands of Filipino athletes across generations, the RMSC is not just an important landmark, it
was their home where poignant memories remai i
facility and a heritage landmark dedicated to the Fil

‘The National Historical Commission of the Philippines (NHCP) already declared the RMSC as
a National Historical Landmark while the National Museum (NM) likewise declared it as an Important
Cultural Property. While these two declarations are indeed very laudable and are steps in the right
direction towards the preservation and conservation of the RMSC, further action should be done to
censure that such declarations would bear fruition. Thus, the introduction of this bill.

With the premises being considered, immediate approval of this bill is earnestly sought.

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Lone District of Muntinlupa City


Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Quezon

SEVENTEENTH CONGRESS

Second Regular Session

House Bill No. 6209

Introduced by HON. ROZZANO RUFINO B. BIAZON

AN ACT
TO ENSURE THE PROTECTION AND CONSERVATION OF RIZAL MEMORIAL
SPORTS COMPLEX IN THE DISTRICT OF MALATE OF THE CITY OF MANILA
AS AN IMPORTANT CULTURAL PROPERTY AND A NATIONAL HISTORICAL
LANDMARK

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

SECTION 1. Short Title. — This act shall be known as the “Rizal Memorial Sports
Complex Protection and Conservation Act”.

Sec. 2. Declaration of Policy. ~ Sections 14, 15, 16 and 17, Article XIV of the 1987
Constitution declare that the State shall foster the preservation, enrichment and dynamic
evolution of a Filipino culture based on the principle of unity in diversity in a climate of free
artistic and intellectual expression. The Constitution likewise mandates the State to conserve,
develop, promote and popularize the nation’s historical and cultural heritage and resources, as
well as artistic creations. It further provides that all 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.

Sec. 3. Conversion of the Rizal Memorial Sports Complex. — To implement the above-
declared State policies, and to ensure its protection and conservation, the present Rizal
Memorial Sports Complex, hereinafter referred to as RMSC, is hereby converted into a trust of
the government. It shall be placed solely for budgetary purposes under the Office of the
President.

The RMSC shall be a venue for sports, athletic events, cultural gatherings and other
such congregations in the service of the community and its development, accessible to the
public, and for the promotion of the people’s general welfare. The RMSC management shall
inform the general public about these activities for the purpose of sports, recreation, education
and entertainment.


Sec. 4. Permanent Home; Evidence of Title to Site and Buildings; Management. ~The
site and lands of the RMSC shall be deemed appropriated to the National Museum, and the
record of the description of such site and lands, or a copy thereof, certified by the Chairman
and Secretary of the Board of Trustees, shall be received as evidence in all courts of the extent
and boundaries of the lands appropriated to the Museum.

The Chairman of the Board of Trustees of the National Museum is hereby authorized
to enter into a Memorandum of Agreement with the Philippine Sports Commission (PSC) for
the management and day to day operations of the RMSC. Such memorandum of agreement
shall be governed by the principle of preserving and conserving the RMSC as an Important
Cultural Property.

Sec. 5. Separability Clause. — If for any reason, any section or provision of this Act is
declared invalid or unconstitutional, the other sections or provisions hereof, unaffected thereby,
shall continue to be in full force and effect.

Sec. 6. Repealing Clause. - All laws, executive issuances or parts thereof inconsistent
with this Act are hereby repealed or amended accordingly.

Sec. 7. Effectivity. — This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after its complete
publication in the Official Gazette or in at least two (2) newspaper of general circulation.

Approved,