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23 MAY 24 All 43
NINETEENTH CONGRESS OF THE ) 
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES ) 
First Regular Session 
)
RliCEiVED OV:
SENATE
s.B. No. 2238
Introduced by SENATOR IMEE R. MARCOS
AN ACT
DECLARING THE IMMEDIATE ENVIRONS OF THE NATIONAL SHRINE OF
OUR MOTHER OF PERPETUAL HELP, POPULARLY KNOWN AS THE 
BACLARAN CHURCH, LOCATED ALONG ROXAS BOULEVARD, PARANAQUE 
CITY, A HERITAGE SITE AND TOURIST DESTINATION
EXPLANATORY NOTE
The National Shrine of Our Mother of Perpetual Help also known as the 
Redemptorist Church and colloquially as Baclaran Church is one of the largest Marian 
Churches in the Philippines. Devotion to Our Mother of Perpetual Help is popular 
amongst Filipino Catholics. In Manila, Wednesdays are popularly called as "Baclaran 
Day", due to many devotees that come to attend the mass and pray the Novena. Since 
1958, the shrine has been authorized by the Holy See to remain open 24 hours a day 
throughout the entire year.
The bill aims to declare the immediate environs of the National Shrine of Our 
Mother of Perpetual Help, located along Roxas Boulevard, Paranaque City, as a heritage 
site and tourist destination. The church has been a pilgrim site among the millions of 
Marian devotees in the Philippines, and also attracts domestic and foreign tourists. It 
is essential that the government take the necessary steps to conserve and preserve 
this cultural site and secure thousands of pilgrims and tourists flocking to Baclaran 
Church.
In view of the foregoing, the passage of this bill is earnestly sought.
R. MARCOS


Of tl;e£ -mnrp
NINETEENTH CONGRESS OF THE ) 
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES ) 
First Regular Session 
)
SENATE
s.B. No. 2238
23 MAY 24 All :43
m-CEiVtO BV:
Introduced by SENATOR IMEE R. MARCOS
AN ACT
DECLARING THE IMMEDIATE ENVIRONS OF THE NATIONAL SHRINE OF 
OUR MOTHER OF PERPETUAL HELP, POPULARLY KNOWN AS THE 
BACLARAN CHURCH, LOCATED ALONG ROXAS BOULEVARD, PARANAQUE 
CITY, A HERITAGE SITE AND TOURIST DESTINATION
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the Philippines in Congress 
assembled:
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SECTION 1. The immediate environs of the National I Shrine of Our Mother of
2 
Perpetual Help, popularly known as the Baclaran Church, located along Roxas
3 
Boulevard, Parahaque City, is hereby declared a heritage site and tourism destination.
4 
As such, the development of the immediate environs of the Baclaran Church shall be
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prioritized and supported by the Department of Tourism (DOT), in coordination with the
6 
National Historical Commission of the Philippines (NHCP), the local government of
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Parahaque City and concerned agencies of the government, subject to the rules and
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regulations governing the development of heritage sites and tourism destinations
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SEC. 2. Within one (1) year after the approval of this Act, the local government
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of Parahaque City shall, in coordination with the DOT, NHCP, Department of Public
12 
Works and Highways and concerned agencies of the government, prepare a tourism
13 
development plan that shall include the construction, installation and maintenance of
14 
such appropriate infrastructure and facilities to improve the overall features of the
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immediate environs surrounding the Baclaran Church, thereby ensuring its accessibility
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and the security of tourists: Provided, That said development plan shall ensure the
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preservation and conservation of the historical significance of the Baclaran Church:
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Provided, further, That the implementation of the tourism development plan shall be
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included in the budget of the local government of Parahaque City.
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SEC. 3. The DOT shall assist the local government of Parahaque City in the
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implementation of the tourism development plan by providing technical assistance in


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tourism capacity building. It shall also include the immediate environs of the Baclaran 
Church in all its national and regional promotion programs.
SEC. 4. The funding for the implementation of this Act shall be included in the 
annual budget of the local government of Parahaque City. The DOT may augment such 
allocation with internally-generated funds.
SEC. 5. Within sixty (60) days from the effectivity of this Act, the local 
government of Parahaque City shall, in consultation with the DOT and concerned 
agencies of the government, promulgate rules and regulations to implement 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,