Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES,
Quezon City

Seventeenth Congress
First Regular Session

~ Ena
HOUSE BILL NO. _Y 817

Introduced by Honorable Mark O. Go

EXPLANATORY NOTE

The City of Baguio and Municipality of Tuba, Benguet have more to offer than just their
cool weather and magnificent sceneries; they are also well-known for their rich and diverse
culture.

Bestowed with breath-taking sceneries and natural resources, Baguio City is a place of
iconic pine trees, flowers, strawberries and known to be the summer capital of the Philippines.
Tuba, Benguet on the other hand, is a land blessed with lush vegetation and mesmerizing
mystical caves, splendid waterfalls and lakes.

‘As years passed, Baguio City and Tuba, Benguet gained attention of the public because
of their appealing tourist destinations and unconventional activities and adventures they offer.
These places became some of the most famous destinations in the Northern part of Luzon.

One of the three major access roads that lead up to these city and town, which is also
considered the most scenic highway to Baguio City is Kennon Road. It was during the American
Regime that this famous road was built by American Governor General William Cameron
Forbes in 1901. It was named after its final builder, U.S. Army Colonel Lyman N. Kennon. With
the hardwork of the locals and foreign laborers, it was completed in the year 1903. It is therefore
the oldest

mountain highway which serves as the major road to the City of Baguio and Municipality of
Tuba.

After more than one hundred (100) years of constant use, natural deterioration aggravated
by typhoons, landslides and earthquakes, some portions of the Kennon Road already became


dangerous. Thus, it is an imperative that additional mechanism be set in place to ensure a cycle
of utilization, conservation, preservation, development, and promotion of this historic road.

‘This road, which became a part of nation’s historical and cultural heritage, played a
significant role to the progress and prosperity of Baguio City and Province of Benguet. Thus, it
deserves to be recognized as a cultural heritage zone.

In realizing our common vision of building a better nation, we need to preserve our rich
cultural heritage for our next generations. Having said this, it is hoped that this measure will
merit approval for the rehabilitation, preservation, conservation and development of the Kennon
Road in the City of Baguio and Municipality of Tuba.

In view thereof, passage of this bill is earnestly sought.


Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Quezon City

Seventeenth Congress
First Regular Session

HOUSE BILL NO. 5877

"Introduced by Honorable Mark O. Go

AN ACT
DECLARING KENNON ROAD IN THE CITY OF BAGUIO AND PROVINCE OF
BENGUET AS A NATIONAL HERITAGE ZONE AND APPROPRIATING FUNDS.
FOR ITS RESTORATION, REHABILITATION, CONSERVATION,
DEVELOPMENT AND OTHER PURPOSES

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

SECTION 1. Title. — This Act shall be known as “AN ACT DECLARING KENNON
ROAD IN THE CITY OF BAGUIO AND PROVINCE OF BENGUET AS A NATIONAL
HERITAGE ZONE AND APPROPRIATING FUNDS FOR ITS RESTORATION,
REHABILITATION, CONSERVATION, DEVELEOPMENT AND OTHER PURPOSES”.

SECTION 2. Declaration of Policy. — It is hereby declared the policy of the state to
protect, preserve, and conserve the nation’s cultural heritage, its properties and history, and the
ethnicities of local communities.

SECTION 3. A National Heritage Zone. —Kennon road located in the City of Baguio and
Municipality of Tuba, Benguet, declared as national heritage zone, shall be accorded priority
development by the Department of Tourism (DOT) and otherconcerned departments and units,
and shall be subject to the rules and regulations governing the development of national heritage
zones.

SECTION 4. Development Plan of the City of Baguio and Municipality of Tuba.— The
Department of Tourism, in partnership with the TourismInfrastructure and Enterprise Zone


Authority (TIEZA), Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH), other government
agencies concerned, and the City Government of Baguio and Municipality of Tuba, shall within
one year after the approval of this Act, prepare the development plan involving the restoration,
rehabilitation conservation and/or maintenance of such appropriate facilities which shall enhance
the area :Provided, That said development shall ensure the preservation of the cultural heritage
and the historical significance of the identified area.

SECTION 5. Coordination with National Agencies and Local GovernmentUnits
(LGUs). The DOT, together with the Tourism Infrastructure and EnterpriseZone Authority
(TIEZA), Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH), in coordination with the City
Government of Baguio and Municipality of Tuba, shall set forth and implement the necessary
construction and/or improvement of roads and other infrastructure upon the promulgation of this
Act and incorporate it in its infrastructure program.

SECTION 6. Implementing Rules and Regulations. ~ The Secretary of the DOT and the
Secretary of the DPWH, in consultation with the stakeholders, shall promulgate the necessary
rules and regulations for the proper implementation of this Act.

SECTION 7. Appropriations. The Secretary of the DOT and the Secretary of the
DPWH, shall immediately include in their respective programs the implementation of this Act,
the funding of which shall be included in the annual General Appropriations Act and/or charged
against the internally generated funds of the DOT.

SECTION 8. Repealing clause. — All laws, decrees, executive orders, letters of
implementation, rules and regulations or part or parts thereof inconsistent with
any provision of this Act are hereby repealed, modified, superseded or amended accordingly.

SECTION 9. Separability clause. - Should any portions or provisions of this Act be
declared unconstitutional or invalid by a competent court, the other portions or provisions hereof
will remain in full force and effect.

SECTION 10. Effectivity. This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after its publication

in the Official Gazette or in at least two (2) national newspapers of general circulation,
whichever comes earlier.

Approved,