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Republic of the Philippines} 25 Jl .
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVE! OaTE: ~
Quezon City, Metro Manila Me:
By.
SEVENTEENTH CONGRESS
First Regular Session PATION UNIT

1862 LS

House Bill No.

Introduced by Rep. Christopher de Venecia

EXPLANATORY NOTE

Our Lady of Manaoag is one of the most venerated Marian images in the
country. Its glorious history can be traced back to 1600’s when the image was finally
brought in the Philippines by a Spanish priest named Padre Juan de San Jacinto, From
then on, the Lady of Manaoag has served to become a refuge to many devotees who
have wished to establish a deeper and more personal relationship with the Lady; thus,
making the Shrine of Our Lady of the Rosary of Manaoag, located in Manaoag,
Pangasinan, as an emblem of Filipino Catholicism. For many centuries, the image of
the Our Lady of Manaoag has remained intact and undamaged after having survived a
series of threat ranging from mere pressure from non-Catholics to complete church
destruction due to revolutions—a mystery considered by many of its followers. There
were also narratives of miracles encountered by a significant number of Marian
devotees.

In recognition of its special role in fostering and shaping Catholicism in the
Philippines, on June 21, 2011, Pope Benedict XVI approved the granting of the special
bond of spiritual affinity in perpetuity affiliating the Papal Basilica of Saint Mary Major
in Rome to the Shrine of Our Lady of Manaoag— the very first in the Philippines. This
gives its pilgrims the assurance of the same plenary indulgence equal to that received
when visiting a papal basilica in Rome. Thereafter, the shrine was elevated into a Minor
Basilica thereby calling it the Basilica of Our Lady of the Rosary of Manaoag.

Our Lady of Manaoag is often called the pilgrim center of the north and its feast
is among the most highly celebrated events in the Philippines. Millions of pilgrims visit
the Basilica every year with its number continuously growing as more witness the glory
it brings to those who humble their hearts. The shrine also continues to entice visitors
not just from our country but from the many parts of the world making it one of the
most visited places in the Philippines. However, as a result, the flow of people became
highly dynamic. This augments the need to adopt policies and measures that would
protect the historical significance of the area while ensuring accessibility and security
to pilgrim

This bill, therefore, aims to declare the Basilica of Our Lady of the Rosary of
Manaoag in the province of Pangasinan as a pilgrimage site and tourist destination
mandating the Department of Tourism and its attached agencies, in coordination with

NTATIVES

S 4N2 INDEX SERVICE


the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH), and in consultation with the
local government units of Manaoag, to come up with a comprehensive development
plan for the improvement of the Manaoag Shrine, all areas attached to it, and all roads
leading to and from it

In view of the foregoing, the passag

of this bill is earnestly sought.

ECIA
Fourth District, Pangasinan


Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTAT:
Quezon City, Metro Manila

SEVENTEENTH CONGRESS
First Regular Session

House Bill No. 1862

Introduced by Rep. Christopher de Venecia

AN ACT.
DECLARING THE BASILICA OF OUR LADY OF THE ROSARY OF
MANAOAG IN THE MUNICIPALITY OF MANAOAG, PROVINCE OF
PANGASINAN AS A PILGRIMAGE SITE AND TOURIST DESTINATION,
OVIDING FOR ITS DEVELOPMENT AND APPROPRIATING FUNDS
THEREFOR

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

SECTION 1. The Basilica of Our Lady of the Rosary of Manaoag is hereby
declared a pilgrimage site and tourist destination, As such, its development shall be
prioritized by the Department of Tourism (DOT) and other concerned agencies, subject
to the rules and regulations governing the development of pilgrimage sites and tourist
destinations.

SEC. 2. The DOT, in coordination with the Department of Public Works and
Highways (DPWI) and other concerned agencies of the government shall, immediately
after the approval of this Act, prepare a development plan involving the construction,
installation and maintenance of such appropriate facilities and in
shall improve the overall features of the area, thereby ensuring the a y
security of the pilgrims and tourists: Provided, That the said development plan shall
ensure the preservation and conservation of the historical significance of the area.

SEC, 3. The DOF and its concemed attached agencies shall take immediate
steps in implementing the appropriate tourism development for the Basilica of Our
Lady of the Rosary of Manaoag and shall incorporate the same in its overall
development plans and programs for national implementation.

SEC. 4. The DOT, in consultation with the local government unit of Manaoag,
shall promulgate the necessary rules and regulations for the proper implementation of
this Act.



SEC. 5. The Secretary of the DOT shall include in the Department’s program
the implementation of this Act, the funding of which shall be included in the annual
General Appropriations Act and internally generated funds of the DOT

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

Approved.