NINETEENTH CONGRESS OF THE 
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES
First Regular Session
SENATE 
S. B. NO.
(©fficr of til? •' rt^irp
23 FEB 14 P6 :01
RliCElVrO BV;
Introduced by SENATOR JOEL VILLANUEVA
AN ACT
DECLARING THE HALAMANAN FESTIVAL OF THE MUNICIPALITY 
OF GUIGUINTO, PROVINCE OF BULACAN A MAJOR TOURIST 
ATTRACTION, AND DECLARING FOR THAT PURPOSE JANUARY 22 
OF EVERY YEAR A SPECIAL NON-WORKING HOLIDAY IN THE 
MUNICIPALITY OF GUIGUINTO AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES
EXPLANATORY NOTE
On January 18, 2023, the municipal government of Guiguinto, Bulacan 
celebrated its 25th Halamanan Festival.1 Launched in 1998, the festival introduces the 
feast day of the municipality’s patron Saint, San lldefonso, the saint of farmers. It also 
highlights the town's major industry, ornamental garden plants and landscaping which 
is now recognized globally.2
Today, the Festival is a crowd-drawing attraction similar to other festivals like 
the Panagbenga in Baguio, Sinulog in Cebu, and Dinagyang in Iloilo City.3 Since the 
passage of Republic Act No. 10816, or the Farm Tourism Development Act of 2016, 
there has been an increasing interest in agro-tourism.4 In fact, Guiguinto’s Garden City 
Multipurpose Cooperative was selected as one of the recipients of technical 
assistance to be certified as a Farm Tourism site by the Department of Tourism.5
Guiguinto’s horticulture business is continually expanding, particularly the 
propagation and business of ornamental plants for landscape purposes.6 This robust 
and vibrant industry paved the way for the municipality’s recognition as the Garden
1 
Available at: 
https://www.manilatimes.net/2023/01/19/news/regions/guiguinto-marks-25th-halamanan-
festival/1874885 (Date last accessed: February 6, 2023).
2 Ibid.
3 Ibid.
4 Supra at Note 4.
5 Ibid.
6 Available at: http://www.science.ph/full storv.php?kev=126902:auiauinto-aims-to-become-qarden-capital-of- 
phl&tvpe=latest (Date last accessed: February 13, 2023).


Capital of the Philippines.7 Amidst the pandemic, Guiguinto actually nurtured a Php1 
billion plant industry.8
In parallel with its growing horticulture and tourism industry, the municipality of 
Guiguinto has likewise blossomed into a 1st class municipality in Bulacan. Thus, it is 
only fitting that Guiguinto and its residents are given ample recognition for their hard 
work by designating a day for them to commemorate their status as the Garden Capital 
of the Philippines. For this purpose, this bill seeks to declare January 22nd of every 
year as a non-working holiday in Guiguinto.
The passage of this bill is earnestly sought.
JOEUVILLANUEV^
7 Available at: https://www.guiguinto.gov.ph/about-us/ (Date last accessed: February 6, 2023).
8 Available at: https://newsinfo.lnquirer.net/1545163/pandemic-helps-bulacan-plant-nurseries-gardens-grow-into- 
pl-b-industry (Date last accessed: February 6, 2023).


Senate
of tl)f fisr?
NINETEENTH CONGRESS OF THE 
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES
First Regular Session
SENATE 
S.B. No. 1870
23 FEB 14 P6 XII 
N
RECEIVED BY;__
Introduced by SENATOR JOEL VILLANUEVA
AN ACT
DECLARING THE HALAMANAN FESTIVAL OF THE MUNICIPALITY 
OF GUIGUINTO, PROVINCE OF BULACAN A MAJOR TOURIST 
ATTRACTION AND DECLARING FOR THAT PURPOSE JANUARY 22 
OF EVERY YEAR A SPECIAL NON-WORKING HOLIDAY IN THE 
MUNICIPALITY OF GUIGUINTO AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the Philippines In 
Congress assembled:
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SECTION 1. Short Title. - This Act shall be known as the “Guiguinto 
Halamanan Festival Act”.
SEC. 2. Guiguinto Halamanan Festival. - The Halamanan Festival of the 
Municipality of Guiguinto, Province of Bulacan is hereby declared a major tourist 
attraction. The Department of Tourism (DOT) shall include the Halamanan Festival in 
its National Tourism Development Plan.
SEC 3. Special Non-working Holiday — The Halamanan Festival, which is 
celebrated every January 22 of every year, is hereby declared a special non-working 
holiday in the entire Municipality of Guiguinto, Province of Bulacan.
SEC 4. Tourism Development and Promotion Plan — Within six (6) months 
from the approval of this Act, the DOT shall prepare a tourism development and 
promotion plan for the Halamanan Festival, in coordination with the Tourism 
Infrastructure and Enterprise Zone Authority (TIEZA) and other concerned agencies 
of the government. The said tourism development and promotion plan shall consist 
of, among others, the construction, installation, and maintenance of such appropriate 
facilities and infrastructure that shall encourage tourism in the area: Provided, That 
such plan shall promote the environmental and economic underpinnings of the 
festival.


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SEC 5. Coordination with the DOT. — The DOT shall take prompt action 
towards the implementation of the tourism development and promotion plan under 
the preceding Section. The said plan shall form part of the DOT’S overall tourism 
development programs for the succeeding year following the effectivity of this Act.
SEC 6. Implementing Rules and Regulations. — Within sixty (60) days 
from the effectivity of this Act, the Secretary of the DOT shall promulgate the 
necessary rules and regulations for the proper implementation of this Act.
SEC 7. Funding. — The amounts necessary for the implementation of this 
Act shall be sourced from the current appropriations of the DOT, and thereafter, it 
shall be included in the annual General Appropriations Act under the projects of the 
DOT and whenever necessary, charged against the internally generated funds of the 
DOT.
SEC 8. Effectivity. — This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after its 
complete publication in the Official Gazette or in a newspaper of general circulation.
Approved,