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Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Quezon City

Nineteenth Congress
First Regular Session

House no, 2493

Introduced by: HON. MA. THERESA V. COLLANTES

EXPLANATORY NOTE

The National Shrine and Parish of Saint Padre Pio commonly known as Padre Pio
Shrine is the first national shrine designated by the Catholic Bishop's Conference of the
Philippines (CBCP) in the province of Batangas. It is situated in a 1.6-hectare land at Barangay
San Pedro, Municipality of Sto. Tomas, Province of Batangas.

Since the establishment of its parish last June 28, 2003, countless of devotees and
parishioners visit the shrine to attend mass for special prayer and healing through the
intercession of Saint Padre Pio. The Shrine received two special relics of Saint Padre Pio from
Fr. Ermelindo Di Capua, O.F.M., Cap., a Capuchin priest who had served the patron. Many
people have stories of blessings and healings received through fervent prayers and devotion to
this miraculous saint. It also became the venue for the 4” World Apostolic Congress of Mercy
last 16-20 January 2017,

Its designation as a National Shrine last September 14. 2015 has tremendous increase
in the economic and tourism activities in the area resulting to more businesses and jobs for our
people.

To meet the increasing potentials of the said place, it is significant that the national
government, through the Department of Tourism (DOT) and the Tourism Infrastructure and
Enterprise Zone Authority (TIEZA) to provide funding assistance and ensure its proper tourism
development planning and implementation are undertaken.

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

haw b. Gb.

MA. THERESA V. COLLANTES


Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Quezon City

‘Nineteenth Congress
First Regular Session

HOUSE NO. 2493

Introduced by: HON. MA. THERESA V. COLLANTES

AN ACT
DECLARING THE NATIONAL SHRINE OF PADRE PIO COMMONLY KNOWN AS
PADRE PIO SHRINE LOCATED IN BRGY. SAN PEDRO, MUNICIPALITY OF STO.
TOMAS, PROVINCE OF BATANGAS 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 National Shrine of Padre Pio located in Barangay San Pedro,
Municipality of Sto. Tomas, Province Batangas and its environs is declared a tourist
destination. As such, the development of its immediate environs shall be prioritized by the
Department of Tourism (DOT), in coordination with the Local Government of Sto. Tomas,
Batangas and other concerned agencies and shall be subject to the rules and regulations
governing the development of a tourist destination.

SEC. 2. Within one (1) year after the approval of this Act, the DOT, in coordination of
the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) and other concerned agencies of the
government shall prepare a tourism development plan involving construction, installation and
maintenance of such appropriate facilities and infrastructure that shall improve the overall
features of the area surrounding the Padre Pio Shrine, thereby ensuring its accessibility and the
security of tourists: Provided, That said development plan shall ensure the preservation and
conservation of the historical significance of the area.

SEC. 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


National Shrine of Padre Pio or the Padre Pio Shrine and its immediate environs and shall
incorporate the same in the National Tourism Development Plan.

SEC. 4, The Secretary of the DOT and the Chief Operating Officer of the Tourism
Infrastructure and Enterprise Zone Authority (TIEZA) shall include in the Annual General
Appropriations Act and internally generated funds of the DOT.

SEC. 5. Within sixty (60) days from the effectivity of this Act, the DOT, in consultation
with the local government unit of Sto. Tomas, Batangas shall promulgate the rules and

regulations for the proper implementation of 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.