NINETEENTH CONGRESS OF THE ) 
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES 
)
Second Regular Session 
)
SENATE
s.No. 2324
Senate
g^«©fficp of tlie elai-p
23 JUL 18 All til
RECEIVED BV, .
Introduced by Senator Loren B. Legarda
AN ACT
DECLARING QUIAPO DISTRICT IN THE CITY OF MANILA A NATIONAL 
HERITAGE ZONE, APPROPRIATING FUNDS THEREFOR,
AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES
EXPLANATORY NOTE
Quiapo is a district located in the heart of Manila, known for its rich cultural 
heritage, historical landmarks, and bustling marketplaces. It is home to the Quiapo 
Church, which is one of the most significant religious sites in the country and attracts 
millions of devotees every year. The district is also famous for its vibrant street life, 
vibrant markets, and traditional crafts. Quiapo is a melting pot of different cultures 
and religions, with Chinese, Spanish, and Muslim influences that have shaped its 
unique character over the centuries. Despite the challenges it faces, Quiapo remains 
an important and integral part of Manila's cultural heritage and a beloved destination 
for locals and tourists alike.
Considered one of the oldest and most important districts in Manila with a rich 
cultural heritage that spans centuries, this proposed legislation is a response to the 
need to safeguard Quiapo's cultural and historical heritage and promote its 
sustainable development as a significant tourist destination in the Philippines. It 
recognizes the importance of preserving and celebrating the district's rich history and 
cultural identity for the benefit of present and future generations.


This measure aims to preserve and promote the cultural, historical, and 
architectural significance of the Quiapo district in Manila, Philippines. It also aims to 
protect and conserve the unique character and identity of the district. The Quiapo 
Heritage Zone seeks to safeguard the historical landmarks, buildings, and sites that 
are significant to the cultural identity of the Philippines, with the goal of ensuring that 
these treasures are preserved for future generations to appreciate and enjoy.
In view of the foregoing, the passage of this measure is earnestly sought.
—tOfi^^LEGARDA


NINETEENTH CONGRESS OF THE ) 
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES 
)
Second Regular Session 
)
SENATE
s.No. 2324
senate
kti'V 7/
irr of Il:0 attar])
23 JUL 18 All :07
RKEIVED BV.
Introduced by Senator Loren B. Legarda
AN ACT
DECLARING QUIAPO DISTRICT IN THE CITY OF MANILA A NATIONAL 
HERITAGE ZONE, APPROPRIATING FUNDS THEREFOR,
AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the Philippines in Congress 
assembled:
1 
Section 1. Title. - This Act shall be known as the "Quiapo Heritage Zone Act."
2 
Sec. 2. Declaration of Policy. - It is the policy of the State to undertake
3 
initiatives that will protect, preserve, conserve, and promote the nation's historical
4 
and cultural heritage, property, and artistic creations.
5 
Sec. 3. Coverage. - This Act shall apply to all cultural properties ranging
6 
from cultural treasures, important cultural properties, heritage sites, historical
7 
shrines, historical monuments, historical landmarks, archaeological and
8 
traditional ethnographic materials, works of national heroes, marked structures,
9 
and structures and archival materials dating at least fifty (50) years old within the
10 
Quiapo District located in the City of Manila.
11 
Sec. 4. Quiapo Heritage Zone. - The Quiapo District in the City of Manila is
12 
hereby declared a heritage zone as defined in Article II, Section 3 (q) and Article
13 
III, Sections 4 and 5 of Republic Act No. 10066 as amended, otherwise known as
14 
the "National Cultural Heritage Act of 2009."
15 
As such, it shall be accorded priority development by the Department of
16 
Tourism (DOT), in coordination with the Local Government of the City of Manila,
17 
the National Commission for Culture and the Arts (NCCA), the National


1 
Historical Commission of the Philippines (NHCP), Tourism Infrastructure and
2 
Enterprise Zone Authority (TIEZA), the Department of Public Works and
3 
Highways (DPWH), and other concerned government agencies, and shall be
4 
subject to the rules and regulations governing the conservation and preservation
5 
of heritage ones following internationally-accepted standards.
6 
For the purpose of this Act, the built heritage sites in the historical and
7 
cultural heritage zone shall include but not be limited to the following:
8 
a. Minor Basilica of the Black Nazarene;
9 
b. Minor Basilica of San Sebastian
10 
c. Masjid Al-Dahab;
11 
d. Plaza del Carmen;
12 
e. Plaza Miranda;
13 
f. Quinta Market;
14 
g. Nakpil-Bautista House;
15 
h. Paterno House;
16 
i. Zamora House;
17 
j. Estrella House;
18 
k. Genato House;
19 
1. Zaragoza House;
20 
m. Casa Consulado;
21 
n. Ocampo-Santiago House;
22 
o. Ocampo Pagoda Mansion;
23 
p. Padilla Art Gallery;
24 
q. Casa Boix;
25 
r. La Estricista Site;
26 
s. Calle Hidalgo;
27 
t. Calle Argelui;
28 
u. Calle Bautista;
29 
V. Calle Bilibid Viejo;
30 
w. Calle de Guzman; and
31 
X. Globo de Oro Street.


1 
Sec. 5. Quinpo Heritage Zone Development Plan. - The City Government of Manila,
2 
in coordination with DOT, TIEZA, NCCA, NHCP, DPWH, and other concerned
3 
agencies, shall, within one year after the approval of this Act, prepare the
4 
development plan involving the protection, preservation, restoration, rehabilitation,
5 
conservation, maintenance, and promotion of the city's cultural heritage and of
6 
appropriate facilities which shall enhance the area: Provided, that the said
7 
development shall ensure the preservation of the cultural heritage and the historical
8 
significance of the identified area.
9 
Relevant organizations and individual participants shall be consulted in public
10 
hearings and drafting sessions.
11 
Research shall be conducted on the heritage sites' architectural, artistic, social,
12 
political, and personal histories and shall be incorporated into the plan in order to
13 
assist the concerned government agencies and stakeholders with the process of
14 
adaptive reuse, the creation of manuals, and the identification of additional suitable
15 
business ventures that can be supported in the district.
16 
Sec. 6. Coordination with National Agencies and Local Government Units. - The City
17 
Government of Manila, in coordination with DOT, TIEZA, and DPWH, shall set forth
18 
and implement necessary construction and/or improvement of roads and other
19 
infrastructure upon promulgation of this Act and incorporate it in its infrastructure
20 
program. This shall include infrastructure and systems that will enhance the overall
21 
aesthetic of the district including drainage, sewerage and solid waste facilities in
22 
accordance with prevailing environmental laws and incentives.
23 
Sec. 7. Report and Review. - Within the year of the implementation of this Act and
24 
each fiscal year thereafter, the City Government of Manila shall render an annual
25 
report to both houses of Congress. The City Government of Manila shall submit a
26 
report describing a summary of the following:
27 
a. Status of the Quiapo National Heritage Zone under this Act;
28 
b. Accomplishments of the Quiapo Heritage Zone Development Plan
29 
established through this Act; and
30 
c. Types and volume of assistance and services provided to stakeholders
31 
within the Quiapo National Heritage Zone.
32 
d. Environmental baselines, targets and enhancements.


1 
Sec. 8. Implementing Rules and Regulations. - The Local Government of the City
2 
of Manila, DOT, NCCA, NHCP, TIEZA, and DPWH, in consultation with
3 
stakeholders, shall promulgate the necessary rules and regulations for the proper
4 
implementation of this Act within ninety (90) days from its effectivity.
5 
The City Council of the City Government of Manila shall pass a city ordinance
6 
to appropriately operationalize the management of the Quiapo National Heritage
7 
Zone, including all parts of the heritage site, national cultural treasures, important
8 
cultural property, and archaeological and antliropological sites designated as intrinsic
9 
thereto, in accordance with the development plan, and in line with the objectives and
10 
provisions of Republic Act No. 10066 and this Act. The ordinance shall likewise
11 
include the metes and bounds of the Heritage Zone established pursuant to this Act.
12 
Sec. 9. Appropriations. - The amount necessary for the protection, preservation,
13 
restoration, rehabilitation, conservation, maintenance, and promotion of the cultural
14 
and historical integrity of the Quiapo Heritage Zone shall receive priority
15 
development attention, assistance, and funding from the DOT, the NCCA, and from
16 
the DPWH subject to existing appropriate government rules and regulations.
17 
Sec. 10. Separability Clause. - If any part, section, or provision of this Act shall
18 
be declared unconstitutional or invalid by a competent court, the remaining
19 
provisions thereby shall remain valid and in full force and effect.
20 
Sec. 11. Repealing Clause. - All laws, decrees, executive orders, issuances, rules
21 
and regulations, or parts thereof not consistent with the provisions of this Act are
22 
hereby repealed, modified, suspended, or amended accordingly.
23 
Sec. 12. Effectivity. - This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after its
24 
publication in the Official Gazette or in two (2) national newspapers of general
25 
circulation, whichever comes earlier.
26
Approved,