Republic of the Philippines
House of Representatives
Quezon City, Metro Manila

SIXTEENTH CONGRESS
Second Regular Session

House Bill No. 4927

Introduced by Rep. Estrellita “Ging” B. Suansing

EXPLANATORY NOTE

Saint John the Baptist is the patron saint of Brgy. Bibiclat, Aliaga,
Nueva Ecija. The devotion to St. John the Baptist in Bibiclat traces its roots
during the Japanese occupation in World War Il. It is said that when
Japanese soldiers were to execute all the men in the barangay in retaliation
for the death of their compatriots, the villagers prayed hard for their loved
ones to be saved. When the men were to be executed, it rained so hard that
the captives had to be herded into the church, where later, some of the
Japanese soldiers were convinced that the rain was a sign of disapproval
from heaven, The residents attributed this miracle to St. John the Baptist
and have vowed to pay homage to the saint since then.

On the saint's feast day, celebrated every 24 of June, Bibiclat
welcomes thousands of tourists, pilgrims, and devotees. These people
participate in the unique religious event called Pagsa-San Juan, or more
popularly known as the Taong Putik Festival. This event is covered by
national news and wire media every year.

On August 29, 2013, Saint John the Baptist Church was declared a
diocesan shrine; the declaration rite was led by Cabanatuan City Bishop
Sofronio Bancud, together with parish priest Rev. Fr. Carlos Padilla and
other members of the clergy.

Being declared a diocesan church means that Bibiclat’s patron saint,
St. John the Baptist, is a miraculous patron. With this declaration, it is
estimated that more pilgrims and tourists will visit Bibiclat, Aliaga not only
during the feast of St. John the Baptist and religious occasions, but also the
whole year round.


This bill, therefore, aims to declare the Diocesan Shrine of St. John
the Baptist Church (Taong Putik Dambana ni San Juan Bautista) in Brgy.
Bibiclat, Municipality of Aliaga, Province of Nueva Ecija as a pilgrimage site
and tourist destination mandating the Department of Tourism and its
attached agencies, in coordination with the Department of Public Works and
Highways, and in consultation with the local government units of Aliaga, to
come up with a comprehensive development plan for the improvement of the
Taong Putik Dambana ni San Juan Bautista, all areas attached to it, and all
roads leading to and from it.

In view of the foregoing, the passage of this bill is earnestly sought.

1* District, Nueva Ecija


Republic of the Philippines
House of Representatives
Quezon City, Metro Manila

SIXTEENTH CONGRESS
Second Regular Session

House Bill No. 4927

Introduced by Rep. Estrellita “Ging” B. Suansing

AN ACT
DECLARING THE DIOCESAN SHRINE OF SAINT JOHN THE BAPTIST
CHURCH (TAONG PUTIK DAMBANA NI SAN JUAN BAUTISTA) IN
BARANGAY BIBICLAT, MUNICIPALITY OF ALIAGA, PROVINCE OF
NUEVA ECIJA AS A PILGRIMAGE SITE AND TOURIST DESTINATION,
PROVIDING FOR ITS DEVELOPMENT AND APPROPRIATING FUNDS
THEREFOR

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

SECTION 1. The Diocesan Shrine of St. John the Baptist Church (Taong
Putik Dambana ni San Juan Bautista) is hereby declared a pilgrimage site
and a tourist destination. As such, it shall be accorded with priority
development 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 (DPWH) and other concerned agencies of the government shall,
immediately after approval of this Act, prepare a development plan involving
the construction, installation, and maintenance of such appropriate facilities
and infrastructure that shall improve the overall feature of the area thereby
ensuring the accessibility and 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 DOT and its attached agencies shall take immediate steps in
implementing the tourism development plan that will suit the needs of the


Diocesan Shrine of St. John the Baptist Church (Taong Putik Dambana ni
San Juan Bautista) 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 Aliaga,
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 charged
against the internally generated funds of the Philippine Tourism Authority
and/or the appropriations in the Annual General Appropriations Act.

SEC. 6. This Act shall take effect upon its approval.

Approved,