Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVHS
Quezon City
NINETEENTH CONGRES S
First Regular Session
HOusE BILL-iro.   5515
Introduced by REP. ELEANDRO JESUS F. MADRONA
EXPLANATORY NOTE
There  is  a  strongly  compelling  story in the pages  of Philippine  history which remains
obscure to many.   An event which served as the fiery start that eventually led to the downfau of
the Japanese occupation of the Philippines in 1945.   This happened in the waters ofRomblon, the
Sibuyan Sea, to be particular.
The Battle of the Sibuyan Sea served as the opening phase and became a critical part of the
Battle of the Leyte Gulf which stands as one of the largest naval battles during the Second World
War, fought from October 23-26,1944.    The Japanese imperial forces initially sent their powerful
battleshipstothePhilippineswiththestrategyofdeceptivelymisleadingtheAmericanfleetsaway
from the main Japanese target, which was the Leyte Gulf.  The patrolling American submarines,
however, were able to detect  and intercept some of the Japanese flagships, cruisers and destroyers.
The sea and air battle that followed then first took place in the Sibuyan Sea on October 24,1944
and led to further engagements in the Surigao Strait, Cape Engafio and into the Samar area.  After
three days of fierce warfare, the capacity of the Japanese navy to fight was finally devastated and
crippled. This very crucial naval battle in the world's history enabled the joint American and allied
forces  to work side by side with our valiant Filipino soldiers in ushering an era of liberation from
the Japanese invaders.
Today, the areas facing the Sibuyan Sea in the Province of Romblon still have the scars
and memories of the  Battle of the Sibuyan Sea.  These areas stand as  timeless witnesses not only
to the atrocities of war, but to the stories of valor,  gallantry and patriotism.
Therefore,  the  establishment  of a  memorial  shrine  in  the  Municipality  of Cajidiocan
frontingtheSibuyanSeaisbutappropriateinordertocommemoratethisoneunforgettablehistoric
moment -  the Battle of the Sibuyan Sea.
In view of the foregoing, the passage of the bill is earnestly sought.fi
ELEANDR0 JESUS F. MADRONA
Representative, Lone District of Romblon


Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Quezon City
NINETEENTH CONGRESS
First Regular Session
HousEBILiNo.   5515
Introduced by REP. ELEANDRO JESUS F. MADRONA
AN ACT
ESTABLISHING THE BATTLE 0F THH SIBUYAN SHA MHMORIAL SHRINE IN
THE MUNICIPALITY OF CAJIDIOCAN, PROVINCE OF ROMBLON, AND
DECLARING IT A TOURISM DESTINATION
Be it enacted by the Senate    and House Of Representatives Of the Philippines in Congress
assembled..
1                     SECTION 1.  The Battle of the sibuyan sea Memorial shrine is hereby established  in
2       the  Municipality ofcajidiocan, Province ofRomblon,  and declared a tourism destination.  As
3        such,  its  development  as  a  tourism  destination    shall  be  prioritized  and  supported  by  the
4       Department of Tourism (DOT), subject to the rules and regulations governing the development
5       of tourism destinations.
6                     See. 2.     Within one (1) year after the approval of this Act, the municipal government
7       of Cajidiocan  shall,  in  coordination  with  the  DOT,  National  Historical  Commission  of the
8       Philippines   and concerned agencies of the government, prepare a tourism development plan
9       that shall include the establishment of the Battle of the sibuyan sea Memorial shrine and the
10       construction,  installation and maintenance of such appropriate infrastructure and facilities to
11       enhance   tourism   in   the   area:   Provj.c7ec7,   That   said   development   plan   shall   ensure   the
12       preservation and conservation of the natural beauty and resources of the area: Provj.c7ec7/#r/foer,
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1       That the implementation of the tourism development plan shall be included in the budget   of
2       the municipal government ofcajidiocan.
3                      See.   3.     The  DOT   shall   assist  the   municipal   government  of  Cajidiocan   in  the
4       implementation of the tourism development plan by providing technical assistance in tourism
5       capacity building.  It shall  also  include the Battle of the  sibuyan  sea Memorial  shrine  in  its
6       national and regional promotion programs.
7                      See. 4. The funding for the implementation of this Act shall be included in the annual
8       budget of the municipal government of cajidiocan.   The DOT may augment such allocation
9       with intemally-generated funds.
10                      Sec.   5.     Within   sixty  (60)  days  from  the  effectivity  of  this  Act,  the  municipal
11       government ofcajidiocan shall, in consultation with the DOT and concerned agencies of the
12       government, promulgate rules and regulations to implement this Act.
13                      Sec.   6.   If any provision of this Act shall be declared unconstitutional or invalid, the
14       other provisions not affected thereby shall remain in full force and effect.
15                      Sec.   7.      All   laws,   rules,   regulations,   presidential   decrees   and   other   issuances
16       inconsistent with any  of the provisions of this Act are hereby deemed  repealed  or amended
17        accordingly.
18                      See. 8.  This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after its publication in the oj7j7}cJ.cz/
19       Gczzcf/e or in a newspaper of general circulation.
Approved,
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