EIGHTEENTH CONGRESS OF THE 
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES 
First Regular Session
)
SENATE 
S. No. 1586
DATE
TtME¥NBEX
Introduced by SENATOR RAMON BONG REVILLA, JR.
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, PROVIDING FOR ITS 
DEVELOPMENT AND APPROPRIATING FUNDS THEREFOR
EXPLANATORY NOTE
The Manaoag Church, formally known as the Minor Basilica of Our Lady of the 
Rosary of Manaoag, is acknowledged as one of the most famous and significant Marian 
churches in the country.
The shrine houses the 17th Century ivory image of the Blessed Virgin Mary 
which is venerated by millions of pilgrims across the country. Considered as the 
pilgrimage center of the north, the basilica is easily one of renowned attractions in 
Pangasinan. In 2018, it was visited by around six million devotees and tourists. Two 
million individuals flock to the church during the observance of the Holy Week.
The National Museum also declared the Minor Basilica as a National Cultural 
Treasure on December 2015 which underscores its outstanding historical, cultural, and 
artistic value that is important to the country.
Considering the status and importance of the church to the Filipino Catholics 
and the entire nation, we seek to prioritize further development of the area as a prime 
tourist destination and pilgrimage site. This measure directs the Department of 
Tourism to ensure accessibility and security of its visitors and to preserve its historical 
and cultural significance.


This measure has already been approved on Third and Final Reading during 
the Sixteenth and Seventeenth Congresses of the House of Representatives.
In this light, the immediate passage of this bill is highly recommended.
RAMOr^^^^^^EmLA, JR.


EIGHTEENTH CONGRESS OF THE 
)
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES 
)
First Regular Session 
)
SENATE 
S. No. 1586
im i8>*Tc» June 4 2020 ml
t»me:
09:00 am
&y:
Introduced by SENATOR RAMON BONG REVILLA, JR.
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, PROVIDING FOR ITS 
DEVELOPMENT AND APPROPRIATING FUNDS THEREFOR
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representative of the Philippines in Congress 
assembled:
1 
Section 1. The Basilica of Our Lady of the Rosary of Manaoag is hereby declared
2 
a pilgrimage site and tourist destination. As such, its development shall be prioritized
3 
by the Department of Tourism (DOT) and other concerned agencies, subject to the
4 
rules and regulations governing the development of pilgrimage sites and tourist
5 
destinations.
6 
Sec. 2. The DOT, in coordination with the Department of Public Works and
7 
Highways (DPWH) and other concerned agencies of the government shall,
8 
Immediately after the approval of this Act, prepare a development plan involving the
9 
construction, installation and maintenance of appropriate facilities and infrastructure
10 
which shall improve the overall features of the area, thereby ensuring accessibility and
11 
the security of the pilgrims and tourists; Provided, That the said development plan
12 
shall ensure the preservation and conservation of the historical significance of the
13 
area.
14 
Sec. 3. The DOT and its concerned attached agencies shall take immediate
15 
steps in implementing the appropriate tourism development for the Basilica of Our


1 
Lady of the Rosaty of Manaoag and shall Incorporate the same in its overall
2 
development plans and programs for national Implementation.
3 
Sec. 4. Within sixty (60) days from the effectivity of this Act, the DOT, in
4 
consultation with the local government unit of Manaoag, shall promulgate the
5 
necessary rules and regulations for the proper implementation of this Act.
6 
Sec. 5. The Secretary of the DOT shall Include in the Department's program
7 
the implementation of this Act, the funding of which shall be included In the annual
8 
General Appropriations Act and internally generated funds of the DOT.
9 
Sec. 6. This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after its publication in the
10 
Official Gazette or in a newspaper of general circulation.
11
12 
Approved,