Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Quezon City

TWENTIETH CONGRESS
First Regular Session

Begun and held in Metro Manila on the
thousand and twenty-five

House Bit No, 3240

Introduced by Representative Agatha Paula “Agay” A. Cruz

EXPLANATORY NOTE

Ancestral houses are a few of the tangible reminders of the Philippine’s colorful
history. Maintained for generations, these structures hold memories of days long gone. One
of these ancestral houses is Bahay na isa.

Nestled in the Municipality of Balagtas, Bulacan, Bahay na Ti
rich history and culture of Bulacan.

is a testament to the

Bahay na Tisa was built in the 1800s and is one of the oldest houses in the province.
Beyond its exquisite design reminiscent of the olden days, Bahay na Tisa also has many stories
to tell. It was originally owned by Captain Valentin Constantino, a former mayor of the
province and one of the richest persons in the area at that time. It also served as a temporary
home to our National Hero Dr. Jose Rizal during his visit to Malolos. ' According to the stories,
Japanese soldiers built a prison in the basement of the house during the Japanese occupation.
After the war, it was rented out as a school. ?

At present, Bahay na Tisa still stands proud along MacArthur Highway in front of
Balagtas Municipal Hall. It remains well-appreciated by locals and visitors alike even after
hundreds of years since it was built.

‘As such, this bill aims to declare Bahay na Tisa as a historical and tourism site to
preserve its existence as a vestige of the rich history and culture of Balagtas, Bulacan. Through
this bill, its significance will be further highlighted, not only to Bulacan but to the whole

1 https://www.balagtas.gov.ph/index.php/tourism/bahay-na-tisa
2 https://tinyurl.com/3jcsddva and https://tinyurl.com/yn4xnyyy


country as well. This is in consonance with Article 14, Section 16 of the 1987 Philippine
Constitution which states: “All the country’s artistic and historic wealth constitutes the
cultural treasure of the nation and shall be under the protection of the State which may
regulate its disposition.”

Considering the foregoing, the immediate approval of this proposed measure is
earnestly sought.



Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Quezon City

TWENTIETH CONGRESS
First Regular Session

HOUSE BILL NO. 3240__

Introduced by Representative Agatha Paula “Agay” A. Cruz

AN ACT DECLARING BAHAY NA TISA IN BALAGTAS, BULACAN AS A.
HISTORICAL AND TOURISM SITE AND APPROPRIATING FUNDS THEREFOR,

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

Section 1. Short Title. - This Act shall be known as the “Bahay na Tisa Historical and
Tourism Site Act.”

Section 2. Scope and Coverage. - Bahay na Tisa, located in Balagtas, Bulacan is hereby
declared a historical and tourist site. In view thereof, the development and preservation of
Bahay na Tisa shall be prioritized by the Department of Tourism (DOT), in coordination with
the Municipality of Balagtas and other related agencies, subject to the rules and regulations
governing the development of historical and tourist sites.

Section 3. Tourism Development Plan. - The DOT in coordination with the Tourism
Infrastructure and Enterprise Zone Authority (TIEZA) and other government agencies,
including the National Historical Commission of the Philippines, shall prepare a tourism
development plan. The said tourism development plan shall consist, among others, the
development and maintenance, including improvement and restoration of the site: Provided,
that said tourism development plan shall ensure the preservation of Bahay na Tisa.

Section 4 Implementation. - The DOT, in coordination with TIEZA and other
concerned agencies including the National Historical Commission of the Philippines, shall
promulgate the necessary rules and regulations for the proper implementation of this Act.

Section 5, Appropriations and funding. - The Secretary of the DOT in the
Department's program the implementation of this act, the funding of which shall be included
in the annual General Appropriations Act and from internally generated funds of the DOT.

Section 6. Separability clause. - If any provision of this Act shalll be declared invalid
or unconstitutional, such declaration shall not affect the validity of the remaining provisions
of this Act.


Section 7. Repealing clause. - All provisions of laws, presidential decrees, letters of
instruction and other presidential issuances which are incompatible or inconsistent with the
provisions of this Act are hereby deemed amended or repealed.

Section 8. Effectivity. - This Act shall take effect within fifteen (15) days following its
publication in the Official Gazette or in at least two (2) national newspapers of general

circulation.

Approved,