| HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Republic of the Philippines RECEIVED
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES = 3 aug. 2916

Quezon City }
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SEVENTEENTH CONGRESS 7 oo |
First Regular Session ‘ ey: feb i

24390 REGISTRATION UNIT
House Bill No. “"~~'| BILLS AND INDEX SERVICE

Introduced by Representative Estrellita B, Suansing

EXPLANATORY NOTE

Saint John the Baptist is the patron saint of Brgy. Bibiclat, Aliaga, Nueva Ecija. The
devotion to St. John the Baptist traces its roots during the Japanese occupation in World War
I It is said that when Japanese soldiers were to execute all the men in the barangay in
retaliation for the death of their compatriots, the villagers prayed hard for their loved ones to
be saved. When the men were to be executed, it rained so hard that the captives had to be
herded into the church, where later, some of the Japanese soldiers were convinced that the
rain was a sign of disapproval from heaven. The residents attributed this miracle to St. John
the Baptist and have vowed to pay homage to the saint since then.

On the saint's feast day, celebrated every 24" of June, Bibiclat welcomes thousands
of tourists, pilgrims and devotees. These people participate in the unique religious event called
Pagsasa Juan, or more popularly known as the Taong Putik Festival. This event is covered
by national news and wire media every year.

On August 29, 2013, Saint John the Baptist Church was declared a diocesan shrine;
the declaration rite was led by Cabanatuan City Bishop Sofronio Bancud, together with parish
priest Rev. Fr. Carlos Padilla and other members of the clergy.

Being declared a diocesan church means that Bibiclat’s patron saint, St. John the
Baptist, is a miraculous patron. With this declaration, it is estimated that more pilgrims and
tourists will visit Bibiclat, Aliaga not only during the feast of St. John the Baptist and religious
occasions, but also the whole year round,

This bill, therefore, aims to declare the Diocesan Shrine of St. John the Baptist Church
(Taong Putik Dambana ni San Juan Bautista) in Brgy. Bibiclat, Aliaga, Nueva Ecija as a
pilgrimage site and tourist destination mandating the Department of Tourism and its attached
agencies, in coordination with the Department of Public Works and Highways, and in
consultation with the local government unit of Aliaga, to come up with a comprehensive
development plan for the improvement of the Taong Putik Dambana ni San Juan Bautista, all
areas attached to it, and all roads leading to and from it.

In view of the foregoing, the passage of this bill is earnestly sought,

ESTRELLITA B. SUANS|NG


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Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Quezon City

SEVENTEENTH CONGRESS:
First Regular Session

House Bill No. 7490

___ Introduced by Representative Estrellita B. Suansing

AN ACT
DECLARING THE DIOCESAN SHRINE OF SAINT JOHN THE BAPTIST CHURCH, ALSO
KNOWN AS THE TAONG PUTIK DAMBANA NI SAN JUAN BAUTISTA, IN BARANGAY
BIBICLAT, ALIAGA, NUEVA ECIJA AS A PILGRIMAGE SITE AND 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 Diocesan Shrine of Saint John the Baptist Church, also known as
the Taong Putik Dambana ni San Juan Bautista, is hereby declared a pilgrimage site and a
tourist destination. As such, it shall be accorded with priority development by the Department
of Tourism (DOT) and other concerned agencies subject to the rules and regulations
governing the development of pilgrimage sites and tourist destinations.

SECTION 2. The DOT, in coordination with the Department of Public Works and
Highways (DPWH) and other concerned agencies of the government shall, immediately after
the effectivity of this Act, prepare a development plan involving the construction, installation
and maintenance of such appropriate facilities and infrastructure that shall improve the overall
feature of the area thereby ensuring the accessibility and security of the pilgrims and tourists;
Provided, That the said development plan shall ensure the preservation and conservation of
the historical significance of the area

SECTION 3. The DOT and its attached agencies shall take immediate steps in
implementing the tourism development plan that will suit the needs of the Diocesan Shrine of
Saint John the Baptist Church, also known as the Taong Putik Dambana ni San Juan Bautista,
and shall incorporate the same in its overall development plans and programs for national
implementation.

SECTION 4. The DOT, in consultation with the local government unit of Aliaga, shall
promulgate the necessary rules and regulations for the proper implementation of this Act.

SECTION 5. The Secretary of the DOT shall include in the Department's program
the implementation of this Act, the funding of which shall be charged against the internally
generated funds of the Philippine tourism Authority and/or the appropriations in the annual
General Appropriations Act.

SECTION 6. This Act shall take effect upon its approval

Approved,