Republic of the Philippines 
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES 
Quezon City 
NINETEENTH CONGRESS 
First Regular Session 
HOUSE BILL NO. ____ 
Introduced by HON. LUIS RAYMUND “LRAY” F. VILLAFUERTE, JR.,  
HON. MIGUEL LUIS R. VILLAFUERTE, HON. TSUYOSHI ANTHONY “HORI” G. 
HORIBATA AND HON. NICOLAS “NICK” C. ENCISO VIII 
EXPLANATORY NOTE 
"The fact that we live in a world that moves crisis by crisis does not make a 
growing interest in outdoor activities frivolous, or ample provision for them 
unworthy of the nation's concern. " 
—John F. Kennedy 
What makes a place livable? The world's best places are vibrant and offer the best quality of 
life for their residents. Livability is critical to the establishment of a sustainable community. A 
strong component of a livable place is tied to physical amenities like parks, green spaces, 
playgrounds, and other similar infrastructure. Access to these areas has been associated 
with better perceived general health, reduced stress levels, reduced depression, and more. 
Recreational spaces contribute to environmental benefits. A network of parks and open 
spaces that include protected natural lands, ecological reserves, wetlands, and other green 
areas is critical to providing healthy habitats for humans, wildlife, and plants in these densely 
built places. Natural landscapes are vital to preserving regional ecosystems amid growing 
cities. 
For a State that prioritizes the well-being of its people, it becomes imperative that it provides 
spaces that allow relaxation—spaces for social interactions and recreation. Recreational 
spaces such as parks fill the absence of green space and help improve air quality, especially 
for highly-urbanized cities, ultimately helping reduce carbon emission levels. They act as a 
buffer for noise pollution and improve climate and humidity levels while reducing the heat 
island effect or urban areas. It has also been said to improve the over-all health and well-
being of people1. 
This bill proposes establishing and maintaining recreational spaces within cities and 
municipalities for public use. This includes preparing Comprehensive Land Use Plans and 
utilizing urban planning approaches that promote physical activity. We aim to produce 
recreational spaces that are not only attractive, but are accessible as well, especially for 
families and senior citizens. The plans should aim to enhance the over-all quality of life for 
the citizens of the city or municipality and not serve as mere value-adding property. 
1Sadeghian, M. & Vardanyan, Z (2013). The Benefits of Urban Parks, a Review of Urban 
Research. Journal of Novel Applied Sciences. 
September 13, 2022
8:00 am
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This bill also seeks to create an implementing body consisting of authorities tasked to 
oversee the development of recreational spaces and their corresponding comprehensive land 
use plans. Aside from aesthetics, this bill prioritizes function over the kinds of public parks, 
facilities, and open spaces to be developed. It examines the needs of the people it serves and 
what applies most to the demands of the city through consultations with the residents and 
relevant stakeholders. 
 
In view of the foregoing, the immediate passage of this bill is earnestly sought. 
 
 
 
  
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
LUIS RAYMUND “LRAY” F. VILLAFUERTE, JR.  
MIGUEL LUIS R. VILLAFUERTE   
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
TSUYOSHI ANTHONY “HORI” G. HORIBATA 
 
NICOLAS “NICK” C. ENCISO VIII 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 


 
Republic of the Philippines 
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES 
Quezon City 
 
NINETEENTH CONGRESS 
First Regular Session 
 
HOUSE BILL NO. ____ 
 
 
Introduced by HON. LUIS RAYMUND “LRAY” F. VILLAFUERTE, JR.,  
HON. MIGUEL LUIS R. VILLAFUERTE, HON. TSUYOSHI ANTHONY “HORI” G. 
HORIBATA AND HON. NICOLAS “NICK” C. ENCISO VIII 
 
 
AN ACT ESTABLISHING PUBLIC RECREATIONAL SPACES IN ALL 
CITIES AND MUNICIPALITIES IN THE COUNTRY AND ITS INTEGRATION IN 
THEIR RESPECTIVE COMPREHENSIVE LAND USE PLANS 
 
Be it enacted by the Senate and the House of Representatives of the Republic of the 
Philippines in Congress assembled: 
 
SECTION 1. Short Title. — This act shall be known as the "Recreation and 
Relaxation (R&R) Spaces Act" 
 
SECTION 2. Declaration of Policy. — It is the declared policy of the government to 
set in motion State policies and mandates in the 1987 Philippine Constitution, namely: 
a. The State shall protect and promote the right to health of the people and 
instill health consciousness among them. 
b. The State shall protect and advance the right of the people to a balanced 
and healthful ecology in accord with the rhythm and harmony of nature. 
 
Accordingly, the State shall establish recreational spaces within cities and 
municipalities in order to provide a livable environment and a sustainable community 
for the Filipino people. 
 
SECTION 4. Definition of Terms. — For purposes of this Act, the following 
definitions shall apply to the following terms: 
a. Comprehensive Land Use — a document designed to guide the future 
actions of a community. It presents a vision for the future, with long-range 
goals and objectives for all activities that affect the local government. 


 
b. Open Space — any open piece of land that is undeveloped and is 
accessible to the public. Open space may include green space. 
c. Recreational Space — is public land developed for the provision of 
recreational facilities and outdoor or open-air recreational areas principally 
used for passive and/or active recreation. 
d. Recreational Facilities — various types of facilities primarily for recreation 
and relaxation that have public access (See Section 5). 
e. Recreation and Relaxation (R&R) Development Council — refers to the 
committee tasked with the formulation of the implementing rules and 
regulations of this Act. 
 
SECTION 4. Establishment of Recreational Spaces. — Pursuant to the policy 
enunciated in Section 1 hereof, there is hereby established and maintained at least 
one (1) Recreational Space in every city and municipality in the country. Such 
Recreational Space shall be located in an Open Space as may be determined by the 
implementing agency in consultation with appropriate government agencies. 
 
Such Recreational Space shall comprise of an area with Recreational Facilities as 
provided under Section 5 of this Act and as may be determined by the R&R 
Development Council hereafter designated in consultation with the appropriate 
government agencies. 
 
In the event a city or municipality has an existing Recreational Space, the concerned 
local government unit (LGU) shall coordinate with the R&R Development Council 
within thirty (30) days upon approval of this Act, in order to ensure that such 
Recreational Space complies with the provisions of this Act. 
 
SECTION 5. Comprehensive Land Use Plan. — All cities and municipalities shall 
prepare their respective comprehensive land use plans that shall be enacted through 
zoning ordinances. The Comprehensive Land Use Plan shall designate the general 
location and extent of the uses of land for the establishment of open spaces. 
Wherever possible, the land use element should consider utilizing urban planning 
approaches that promote physical activity. The plan must contain the following: 
a. A forecast of the future needs for recreational spaces and related facilities; 


 
b. An inventory of existing open spaces, public parks and other related 
facilities, showing the locations and capacities of the facilities; 
c. The proposed locations sand capacities of expanded or new recreation 
spaces and open spaces; 
d. An allotment to maintain recreational spaces and facilities; and 
e. A provision that subjects comprehensive land use plans to a review every 5 
years in order to include any update on urban planning and other related 
fields LGU urban planners and city or municipal engineers must consult 
with the  R&R Development Council in developing their comprehensive 
land use plans.  At least five (5) public hearings shall be conducted to 
determine the needs of the residents and stakeholders who will use and 
benefit from the Recreation Spaces. 
 
In the event that a city or municipality has an existing Comprehensive Land Use Plan, 
the same shall be re-evaluated by the R&R Development Council. 
 
SECTION 5. Kinds of public parks, recreational facilities and open spaces. — 
Recreational Facilities refer to various types of facilities that have public access. 
These facilities are classified but not limited into the following: 
a. Green Space - land that is partly or completely covered with grass, trees, 
shrubs, or other vegetation; 
b. Educational space - an area or physical setting conducive to learning; 
c. Parks - areas of natural or semi-natural space set aside for recreation 
and/or the protection of wildlife or natural habitats; 
d. Garden - a semi-natural area planned and developed for the cultivation of 
plants, and enjoyment of humans; 
e. Allotments — sites used for horticulture, often comprising of numerous plots 
rented out to members of the community; 
f. Sport Facilities — i.e. basketball, volleyball and badminton courts, leisure 
centers, swimming pools and other similar facilities; 
g. Community Halls — locations or areas where members of the community 
tend to gather for social activities; 
h. Cultural Facilities — i.e. libraries, museum, tourist attractions, and other 
similar facilities; and 
i.  Playing Field — sites that are large enough to accommodate outdoor sports. 


 
 
SECTION 6. Implementing Rules and Regulations. — Immediately after this Act 
takes effect, a committee tasked with the formulation of the implementing rules and 
regulations of this Act shall be created. The committee, hereby known as the "R&R 
Development Council", shall be composed of the following: 
a. The Secretary of the Department of Interior and Local Government, who 
shall also chair the committee; 
b. A representative from the Department of Public Works and Highways; 
c. A representative from the Department of Environment and National 
Resources; 
d. A professor from the University of the Philippines School of Urban and 
Regional Planning; 
e. A professor from the University of the Philippines College of Architecture; 
f. A representative from the Philippine Green Building Council; 
g. A representative from the National Parks Development Committee. 
 
Within six (6) months after this Act takes effect the Committee shall submit the 
implementing rules and regulations. 
 
SECTION 7. Appropriation. — The amount necessary to carry out the provisions of 
this Act shall be included in the annual General Appropriations Act. 
 
SECTION 8. Separability Clause. — If any portion or provision of this Act or the 
application thereof shall be declared invalid of unconstitutional, the validity of other 
parts or provisions not affected thereby shall continue to be in full force and effect. 
 
SECTION 9. Repealing Clause. — All laws, decrees, executive issuances, rules 
and regulations inconsistent with this Act are hereby repealed or modified 
accordingly. 
 
SECTION 10. Effectivity Clause. — This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after 
its publication in at least two (2) newspaper of general circulation. 
 
Approved,