Republic of the Philippines 
House of Representatives 
Quezon City, Metro Manila 
NINETEENTH CONGRESS 
First Regular Session 
HOUSE BILL No. _______ 
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 
Introduced by HONORABLE ERNESTO “ERNIX” M. DIONISIO, JR. 
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 
AN ACT  
DECLARING THE PLAZA LA LIGA FILIPINA AS A NATIONAL HISTORICAL 
LANDMARK, PROVIDING FOR ITS PRESERVATION AND IMPROVEMENT, AND 
APPROPRIATING FUNDS THEREFOR 
EXPLANATORY NOTE 
The City of Manila is central to our colonial past. With its great importance to 
our former colonizers came the multitude of historically significant locations and 
events that shaped the story of our people. One of these important events is the 
founding by Dr. Jose Rizal of La Liga Filipina upon his return to the Philippines on 3 
July 1892.1  
The La Liga Filipina was established to foster self-sufficiency and offer aid to 
Filipinos—all in the hopes of reforming the nation. It was the creation of this movement 
that led to Dr. Jose Rizal’s deportation to Dapitan.2 The formation of the movement 
would then inspire the establishment of the Katipunan, headed by Andres Bonifiacio, 
and the Cuerpo de Compromisarios, which continued supporting La Solidaridad in 
Spain.3  
Today, the site where the movement was founded sits in Ilaya Street, Tondo, 
Manila, where a historical marker relays its story and objectives.  
The purpose of this bill seeks to elevate the importance of this historical site by 
raising its status as a national historical landmark, given its historical signific to our 
struggle for self-determination. This measure also seeks to preserve the site, in the 
hopes that future generations of Filipinos will be reminded of the bravery and efforts 
made by our national heroes to strive for independence.  
In view of the foregoing, the passage of this bill is highly sought. 
1 https://nhcp.gov.ph/125th-anniversary-founding-la-liga-filipina/wppaspec/oc1/lnen/cv0/ab16/pt182 
2 Ibid. 
3 Ibid. 
October 6, 2022
1:14 pm
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Republic of the Philippines 
House of Representatives 
Quezon City, Metro Manila 
NINETEENTH CONGRESS 
First Regular Session 
HOUSE BILL No. _______ 
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 
Introduced by HONORABLE ERNESTO “ERNIX” M. DIONISIO, JR. 
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 
AN ACT  
DECLARING THE PLAZA LA LIGA FILIPINA AS A NATIONAL HISTORICAL 
LANDMARK, PROVIDING FOR ITS PRESERVATION AND IMPROVEMENT, AND 
APPROPRIATING FUNDS THEREFOR 
Be it enacted by the Senate and the House of Representatives of the 
Philippines in Congress assembled: 
SECTION 1. Declaration of Policy. – It is hereby declared the policy of the 
State to preserve historical sites, monuments, and other relics that represent the 
Filipino heritage and culture and should therefore be under the protection of the State. 
Likewise, the State must provide the necessary support to conserve, promote, and 
popularize these national treasures as part of our nation’s history.  
SECTION 2. Designation as Historical Site. – The Plaza La Liga Filipina 
located in Ilaya Street, Tondo, Manila, is hereby declared a National Historical 
Landmark.  
SECTION 3. Implementing Rules and Regulations. – The National Historical 
Commission of the Philippines (NHCP) shall exercise supervision over the 
preservation of the aforesaid site and shall, within sixty (60) days, issue the necessary 
rules and regulations to implement the provision of this Act. 
SECTION 4. Appropriation. – The amount necessary to carry out the provision 
of this Act shall be included in the annual General Appropriations Act. 
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SECTION 5. Authorization to Accept Donations. – The NHCP shall be 
authorized to receive and solicit donations from private sources for the improvement 
and maintenance of the Plaza La Liga Filipina. There is hereby created a special fund 
for this purpose, which shall be managed by the Department of Finance. 
 
SECTION 6. Effectivity. – This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after its 
publication in the Official Gazette or in a newspaper of general circulation.  
 
Approved,