Republic of the Philippines

House of Representatives
Quon City, Metro Man

NINETEENTH CONGRESS
First Regular Session

HOUSE BILL No. 416

Introduced by: HON. CARL NICOLAS C. CARI

EXPLANATORY NOTE.

‘The history and carly beginnings of Baybay was believed to be the only settlement on the
westem coast of Leyte known to the first Spanish conquistadores that came with Magellan, as was
Abuyog in the castem part of the province and Limasawa and Cabalian in the south. In 1620. the
Jesuit fathers formally founded the town after building a church and a mission house that belonged
to the “residencia” of Carigara, the first and central station of the Society of Jesuits in Leyte

Endowed with beautiful scenery and rich natural resources, the City of Baybay, Province of
Leyte offers soveral tourist attractions. Beautiful natural rivers, hot springs, natural pools and falls.
beaches, caves, and old relics can be found within the city limits. The city is also home to scveral
festivals, namely: the Binaybayon Festival, Tigbawanon Festival, Halaran Festival, and Sirong
Festival

Our culturally significant historical relics and pieces are dispersed throughout the district's
several communities. The majority of them have been worn out. submerged in flash floods and
other natural disasters, stolen, or lost, Unless fast action is done. the remaining things may vanish
and be lost forever.

It is critical to create a cultural center and muscum in the City of Baybay to preserve and
conserve the region's unique history. traditions. and values. as well as its cultural legacy and
identity

In view of the foregoing, immediate approval of this bill is camestly sought

ti 7
CARL NICOLAS\C. CARI

Representative
5 District. Leyte



Republic of the Philippines

House of Representatives

(Queyon City, Metro Manils

NINETEENTH CONGRESS
First Regular Session

HOUSE BILL No. 416

Introduced by: HON. CARL NICOLAS C. CARL

AN ACT ESTABLISHING A CULTURAL CENTER AND MUSEUM IN THE CITY OF
BAYBAY, PROVINCE OF LEYTE TO BE KNOWN AS BAYBAY CITY CULTURAL
CENTER AND MUSEUM, AND APPROPRIATING FUNDS THEREFOR

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

SECTION I, There shall be established in the City of Baybay. Province of Leyte a cultural center
and museum to be known as Baybay City Cultural Center and Muscum. which shall be under the
supervision of the National Commission for Culture and the Arts (NCCA),

SECTION 2. The Sangguniang Panlungsod of the City of Baybay. Province of Leyte, in
coordination with the NCCA. shall choose the site of the Baybay City Cultural Center and
Museum

SECTION 3. For purposes of implementing its activities and functions, the Baybay City Cultural
Center and Museum is hereby authorized to emphasize the following undertakings

a, To compile the musical notes and lyrics of Baybay traditional songs. ballads. and
contemporary music compositions. and to collect samples of musical instruments of
Baybay origin, design. and creation.

b. To acquire and display a varied range of Baybay arts and artifacts:

¢. To publish and disseminate Baybay literary works. epics. stories. and historical
accounts

4. To compile Baybay literature. film. or audio-visual recordings of cultural performances
in music, dances, oral literature. and festival celebrations:

To compile Baybay works. names of barangays. towns. and other places of interest and
their respective history:

£. To gather and document Baybay religious practices and traditions. and the background
and origin of Baybay fiestas and festivals

g. To compile photographs of and showcase by appropriate exhibits. Baybay landmarks.
historical sites. and scenic views:

h. To gather specimens of archacolos
in Baybay:

cal findings. and to collect major minerals present

i, To preserve by appropriate methods samples of flora and fauna indigenous to Baybay
and its environs.


Republic of the Philippines

House of Representatives
‘Quevon City, Metro Manila

SECTION 4, The amount necessary to carry out the provisions of this Act shall be included in the
annual General Appropriations Act.

SECTION 5. Within sixty (60) days from the approval of this Act. the NCCA shall. in consultation
with the Sangguniang Pantungsod of Baybay City. Cultural Center of the Philippines. and National
Muscum of the Philippines. formulate and issue the rules and regulations implementing the
provisions of this Act.

SECTION 6. This Act shall take effect fiftcen (15) days after its publication in the Official Gazette
or a newspaper of general circulation,

APPROVED,