Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Quezon City, Metro Manila

SEVENTEENTH CONGRESS
Second Regular Session

7024

H.B. No.

Introduced by HON. LORD ALLAN JAY Q. VELASCO

EXPLANATORY NOTE

‘The province of Marinduque, dubbed as the “Heart of the Philippines”, is a heart-
shaped island in the Southern Tagalog Region. Coincidentally, the island is also the
geographical center of the archipelago and a stone marker marks its significance in
Philippine geography.

To signify that it is the geographical center of the Philippine archipelago, a marker
has been fixed in what is known as the Luzon Datum of 1911 or Station Balanacan. This
piece of stone marker is located on top of a hill that locals call Mataas na Bundok or Mt.
Matas in Barangay Hinanggayon, town of Mogpog, It is the primary geodetic reference
or origin of all geological surveys in the Philippines which means all maps and surveys
made in the country use the Luzon Datum as a reference point.

In other countries, their geographic centers have become tourist attractions due to
their creative initiative to build large stone monuments in these centers. Examples of
these countries are Japan, India, Taiwan, Australia and the United States of America.

With this current global trend of setting up monuments in their respective
geographic centers, it is the right time to convert the Luzon Datum of 1911 into a modern
day tourist spot. As such, the development of a large stone monument in the Luzon
Datum is feasible and beneficial, as it will help this country’s tourism and will also
identify that the Luzon Datum is a significant geographical point in the Philippine
archipelago.


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

HON. LORD AI JAY Q. VELASCO
Representative, Lone District of Marinduque


Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Quezon City, Metro Manila

SEVENTEENTH CONGRESS
Second Regular Session

HB. No,_7024

Introduced by HON. LORD ALLAN JAY Q. VELASCO

AN ACT DECLARING THE LUZON DATUM LOCATED IN THE MUNICIPALITY
OF MOGPOG, PROVINCE OF MARINDUQUE A TOURIST SPOT AND.
APPROPRIATING FUNDS THEREFOR

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

SECTION 1. The Luzon Datum in the Municipality of Mogpog, Province of
Marinduque is hereby declared as a tourist spot. As such, its development shall be
prioritized by the Department of Tourism (DOT), and shall be subject to the rules and
regulations governing the development of tourist spots. The DOT shall prioritize the

establishment of a tourist center to be known as the Luzon Datum Tourist Center.

SEC. 2. Within six (6) months after the approval of this Act, the DOT, in
coordination with the Tourism Infrastructure and Enterprise Zone Authority (TIEZA)
and concerned agencies of the government, shall prepare a tourism development plan
involving the construction, installation and maintenance of such appropriate facilities
and infrastructure as shall encourage tourism in the area: Provided, That said
development plan shall ensure the preservation and conservation of the natural beauty

and historical significance thereof.


SEC. 3. The DOT shall take immediate steps to implement the development plan
and incorporate the same in its tourism development program for the ensuing calendar

year.
SEC. 4. The Secretary of the DOT shall include in the Department's program the
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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.

SEC. 5. Within sixty (60) days from the effectivity of this Act, the Secretary of the

DOT shall promulgate the necessary rules and regulations for its proper implementation.

SEC. 6. This act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after its publication in the Official

Gazette or in a newspaper of general circulation.

Approved,