NINETEENTH CONGRESS OF THE) 
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES ) 
First Regular Session 
)
SENATE
s. No. 1768
of ri:r
23 JAN 25 P3S4
RECEIVED BY.
Introduced by Senator MANUEL "LITO" M. LA.PID
AN ACT
DECLARING THE BINAN HERITAGE DISTRICT IN THE CITY OF BINAN A 
NATIONAL HISTORICAL - CULTURAL HERITAGE ZONE, APPROPRIATE 
FUNDS THEREFOR, AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES
EXPLANATORY NOTE
Before the Spanish conquistadores (conquerors) came to the Philippine 
archipelago in the 16th century, the shores of Laguna de Bay were already inhabited 
by settlers from Bay, and some from the island of Mindoro, who traded local produce 
for Chinese porcelains and potteries. It was Captain Juan de Salcedo who rediscovered 
and founded Bihan at the end of June 1571, when he explored the largest freshwater 
lake in the Philippines and second in Asia (Laguna de Bay).
Since then, Bihan has developed into a significant center of commerce in the 
province of Laguna. The city is home to the largest public market not just in province 
of Laguna but the whole Southern Tagalog region. Retailers from neighboring towns 
frequently shop in the city for products and commodities to sell elsewhere.
Ancestral houses built centuries ago line up the streets leading to Bihan's main 
plaza. Beyond their architectural wonders, heritage houses were given various 
functions like some that were converted into a museum, cultural center, commercial 
center and hotels, where residents have allowed visitors to enter their heritage houses


to learn more about their histories, buy their need, grab their souvenirs, have a taste 
of their traditional food and take some photos.
The origins of one of our national heroes, Jose Rizal, may be traced back to 
Bihan, where his grandparents lived and held the office of capitan depueblo, or mayor, 
respectively. According to records from the National Historical Commission of the 
Philippines (NHCP) and the Bihan's local government showed that Rizal's great­
grandfather, Francisco Mercado, who owned the largest herd of carabaos in Bihan, 
served as mayor of the city in 1783; while Rizal's grandfather, Juan Mercado, served 
as mayor of Bihan in 1808, 1813, and 1823. On his maternal side, Rizal's great­
grandfather, Cipriano Alonso, served as mayor of Bihan in 1790 and 1802 and his 
grandfather Lorenzo Alberto Alonso served as mayor in 1844.
Bihan has one of the biggest concentrations of old houses in the province of 
Laguna. They play a crucial role in the city's and the country's historical and cultural 
heritage. The personal and social histories of these residences add to our 
understanding of the culture, art, style, history, and traditions of this city and our 
nation. Therefore, it is crucial to declare these historic structures as part of a national 
heritage zone in order to strengthen our people's nationalism, love of country, respect 
for its heroes, and pride in the people's accomplishments.
As a nation that recognizes the importance of its historical and cultural heritage, 
early passage of this bill is earnestly sought.
EL "LITO" M. LAPID
Senator


NINETEENTH CONGRESS OF THE) 
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES ) 
First Regular Session 
)
SENATE
S. No. 1V68
of fur C
23 JAN 25 P3S4
RECEIVED BV.
Introduced by Senator Manuel "Lito" M. Lapid
1 
AN ACT
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DECLARING THE BINAN HERITAGE DISTRICT IN THE CITY OF BINAN A
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NATIONAL HISTORICAL - CULTURAL HERITAGE ZONE, APPROPRIATE
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FUNDS THEREFOR, AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES
Be it enacted by the Senate and the House of Representatives of the Philippines 
in Congress assembled:
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SECTION 1. Tide. — This Act shall be known as the "Bihan Heritage Zone Act".
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SECTION 2. Declaration of Policy. — It is hereby declared to be the policy of
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the State to undertake initiatives that will protect, preserve, conserve and promote
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the nation's historical and cultural heritage, property, and artistic creations.
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Toward this end, the State shall establish historical - cultural heritage zones
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following internationally-accepted standards that improve, promote, and preserve the
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richness, quality, and exceptional culture of the Philippines and influence people's
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perceptions of our nation.
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SECTION 3. Coverage. — This Act shall apply to cultural properties ranging
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from cultural treasures, important cultural properties, heritage sites, historical shrines,
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historical monuments, historical landmarks, archaeological and traditional
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ethnographic materials, works of national heroes, marked structures, structures dating
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at least fifty (50) years old, and archival materials/documents dating at least fifty (50)
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years old within the City of Bihan, Laguna.


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SECTION 4. Binan National Historical and Cultural Heritage Zone. — The Bihan
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Heritage District comprising of the Plaza Rizal, V. Ocampo Street and J. Gonzales
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Street in the City of Bihan is hereby declared a heritage zone as defined in Article II,
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Section 3 (q) and Article III, Sections 4 and 5 of Republic Act No. 10066, otherwise
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known as the "National Cultural Heritage Act of 2009".
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As such, it shall be accorded priority development by the Department of
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Tourism (DOT), in coordination with the Local Government of the City of Bihan, the
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National Commission for Culture and the Arts (NCCA) and its affiliated cultural
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agencies. National Historical Commission of the Philippines (NHCP), Tourism
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Infrastructure and Enterprise Zone Authority (TIEZA), and the Department of Public
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Works and Highways (DPWH) and other concerned agencies of the government, shall
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be subject to the rules and regulations governing the conservation and preservation
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of heritage zones following internationally-accepted standards.
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For the purpose of this Act, the built heritage sites in the historical and cultural
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heritage zone shall include, but are not limited to the following;
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a. Bihan Plaza Complex including Jose Rizal Monument and Los Maduros 
Bandstand;
b. Sentrong Pangkultura ng Bihan (Old Municipal Hall);
c. Historic Alberto Mansion;
d. Casa Bihanense;
e. San Isidro Labrador Catholic Church, Meditation Garden and Belfry;
f. School of Rizal Site and Museum;
g. Heroes Memorial
h. Casa Parroquial (Bihan Cursillo House);
i. Vicente Ocampo House;
j. 
Francisco Almeda House;


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k. Francisco Baylon House;
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I. Conrado Potenciano House
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m. Iluminado Valencia House; and
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n. Pedro-Isidro Carino House;
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SECTION 5. Binan Heritage Zone Development Plan. — The City Government
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of Bifian shall prepare a comprehensive Binan Heritage Zone Development Plan. In
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the preparation of this plan, all the parties interested in protection, preservation,
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conservation, restoration and promotion of the city's cultural heritage, its property and
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histories into the preparation of the study and the development plan and ensure the
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participation of organizations and individual participants shall be consulted in public
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hearings and drafting sessions.
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The preparation of the plan shall be in coordination with Department of
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Tourism, the NCCA and its affiliated cultural agencies, NHCP, TIEZA, and the DPWH.
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Research shall be conducted on the heritage sites' architectural, artistic, social,
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political, and personal histories and incorporated into the plan in order to assist
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concerned government agencies and stakeholders with the process of adaptive reuse,
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the creation of manuals, and the identification of additional suitable business ventures
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that can be supported in the district.
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SECTION 6. Report and Review— Within the year of the implementation of this
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Act and each fiscal year thereafter, the City Government of Binan shall render an
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annual report to both houses of Congress. The City Government of Bifian shall submit
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a report describing a summary of the following:
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a. the status of the Bifian Historical and Cultural Heritage Zone under this Act;
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b. accomplishments of Bifian Heritage Zone Development Plan established
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through this Act; and
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c. the types and volume of assistance and services provided to stakeholders within
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the Bifian Historical and Cultural Heritage Zone.


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SECTION 7. Implementing Rules and Regulations (IRR). — Within ninety (90)
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days from the effectivity of this Act, the Department of Tourism, in coordination with
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the Local Government of the City of Bihan, the NCCA and its affiliated cultural
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agencies, NHCP, TIEZA, and the DPWH, in consultation with the stakeholders, shall
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promulgate the necessary rules and regulations for the proper implementation of this
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Act.
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The City Council of the City Government of Bihan shall pass a city ordinance to
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operationalize appropriately the management of the Bihan Historical and Cultural
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Heritage Zone, including all the heritage site, national cultural treasures, important
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cultural property and archaeological and anthropological sites designated as intrinsic
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thereto, in accordance with the development plan and in line with the objectives and
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provisions of R.A. No. 10066 and this Act. The ordinance shall likewise include the
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metes and bounds of the Heritage Zone established pursuant to this Act.
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SECTION 8. Appropriations. — The amount necessary for the preservation,
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protection, study, restoration and promotion of the cultural and historical integrity of
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the geographical area represented by the Heritage Zone shall receive priority
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development attention, assistance, and funding from the DOT and its attached
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agencies, the NCCA and its affiliated cultural agencies, and from the DPWH subject to
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existing appropriate government rules and regulations.
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SECTION 9. Separability Clause. — In the event that any part, section or
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provision of this Act shall be declared unconstitutional or invalid by a competent court,
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the remaining provisions thereby shall remain valid and in full force and effect as if
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the sections or provisions so annulled or voided had never been incorporated herein.
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SECTION 10. Repealing Clause. — All laws, decrees, executive orders,
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issuances, rules and regulations, or parts thereof not consistent with the provisions of
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this Act are hereby repealed or modified and/or superseded as case may be by this
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Act accordingly.


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SECTION 11. Effectivity. — This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after its
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complete publication in the Official Gazette or in at least two (2) newspapers of general
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circulation, whichever comes earlier.
Approved,