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

NINETEENTH CONGRESS
First Regular Session

105

HOUSE BILL NO.

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.

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
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

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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 Nort

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

INETEENTH CONGRESS
First Regular Session

105

HOUSE BILL NO.

Introduced by Rep. 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 1. The Bagacay Point Lighthouse located in Barangay Catarman, Municipality of
Liloan, Fifth District of the Province of Cebu, is hereby declared as tourist destination.

As such, the development of this tourist spot shall be prioritized by the Department of
Tourism (DOT), subject to the rules and regulations governing the development of tourist
destinations.

Section 2. Within one (1) year from the approval of this Act, the DOT, in coordination with
the concerned local government units and agencies of the government, shall Prepare a tourism
development plan involving the construction, installation, and maintenance of appropriate
facilities that enhance tourism in the area: Provided, That the development plan shall ensure the
preservation and conservation of the natural beauty and resources of the area: Provided, further,
That any activities and developments to be carried out in the area must conform with the concept
of ecotourism as provided in the national ecotourism strategy jointly issued by the Department of
Environment and Natural Resources and the DOT

Section 3. The DOT and its attached agencies shall take immediate steps to implement the
tourism development plan that suits the natural characteristics of the Bagacay Point Lighthouse
and shall incorporate the same in its tourism development and program for the ensuing calendar
year. It shall also include the Bagacay Point Lighthouse in all its national, regional, and local
promotion programs.


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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.

Section 5. Within sixty (60) days from the effectivity of this Act, the Secretary of Tourism,
in consultation with the Municipality of Liloan, shall promulgate the necessary rules and
regulations for the proper implementation of this Act

Section 6. All laws, regulations, proclamations, executive orders, or parts thereof,
inconsistent with this Act are hereby 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,