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Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES. R ECE EDA
Quezon City, Metro Manila pares” 302

TIME: 34 nae "
NINETEENTH CONGRESS
First Regular Session

House Bit. No._247

Introduced by Representative ANTONIO ‘TONYPET’ T. ALBANO

EXPLANATORY NOTE

This bill seeks to declare the San Pablo Church in San Pablo, Province of Isabela
as tourist destination.

The San Pablo Church located in Poblacion, San Pablo, Isabela was built in 1624
during the Spanish regime. It is the oldest church in the Province of Isabela and is
almost four (400) hundred years old. It is famous for its tall bell tower that has six
(6) levels including the circular apex made of adobe. Its campanario or bell-tower is
the tallest in the Cagayan Valley. The church was heavily damaged during the last
World War and was restored to its original design. The restoration did not diminish its
original beauty and only added to its overall aesthetic value. Pilgrims and tourists from
the neighboring provinces come to visit the San Pablo Church not only to hear mass
but also to marvel at the beauty of the church.

In many ways, the San Pablo church is a historic, architectural, artistic , cultural
edifice that is a jewel in the trove of our country's national heritage sites. In this light,
San Pablo Church deserves to be declared as a national tourist destination

National government assistance is essential to ensure the development of the
church as a tourist destination. Towards this end, the declaration of the church as a
national tourism destination is imperative.

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

CPi BO

REP. ANTONIO “TONYPET” T. ALBANO


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Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Quezon City, Metro Manila

NINETEENTH CONGRESS
Second Regular Session

247

HOUSE BILL NO.

Introduced by Representative ANTONIO ‘TONYPET’ T. ALBANO

AN ACT
DECLARING THE IMMEDIATE ENVIRONS OF THE San Pablo CHURCH
LOCATED IN THE MUNICIPALITY OF SAN PABLO, PROVINCE OF ISABELA, A
TOURIST DESTINATION, AND APPROPRIATING FUNDS THEREFOR

Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the Philippines in
Congress assembled:

Section 1. The immediate environs of the San Pablo Church located in San
Pablo, Province of Isabela located in the municipality of San Pablo, Province of
Isabela is hereby declared a tourist destination. As such, the development of the
immediate environs of the San Pablo Church shall be prioritized by the Department
of Tourism (DOT), in coordination with the municipal government of San Pablo
and other concerned agencies, subject to the rules and regulations governing the
development of tourism destinations.

Section 2. Within one (1) year after the approval of this Act, the DOT
shall, in coordination with the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH),
the National Historical Commission of the Philippines (NHCP), the municipal[al
government of San Pablo and other concerned agencies o the government,
prepare tourism development plan that shall include the construction, installation
and maintenance of such facilities and infrastructure to improve the overall
features of the immediate environs surrounding the San Pablo Church, thereby
ensuring its accessibility and the security of tourists: Provided, That said
development plan shall ensure the preservations and conservation of the historical

significance of the area.


Section 3. The DOT and its concerned attached agencies shall take
immediate steps to implement the appropriate tourism development plan for the
immediate environs of the San Pablo Church and shall incorporate the same in its
tourism development program for the calendar year immediately succeeding the
approval of this Act

Section 4. The Secretary of the DOT and the DPWH shall include in their
respective Departments’ program the implementation of this Act, the funding of
which shall be included in the annual General Appropriation Act and shall augment
such allocation with the internally generated funds of the DOT.

Section 5.Within sixty (60) days from the effectivity of this Act, the DOT,
in consultation with the municipal government of San Pablo, promulgate the

necessary rules and regulations for the proper implementation of this Act.

Section 6. This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after its publication
in the Official Gazette or in a newspaper of general circulation.

Approved,