NINETEENTH CONGRESS OF THE 
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES 
First Regular Session
SENTO
S.B. No. 1^0 t
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■22 NOV 29 P5:15
RECEI'.TD BV.
Introduced by Senator Ramon Bong Revilla, Jr.
AN ACT
DECLARING THE BASILICA OF OUR LADY OF THE ROSARY OF MANAOAG 
IN THE MUNICIPALITY OF MANAOAG, PROVINCE OF PANGASINAN AS A 
PILGRIMAGE SITE AND TOURISM DESTINATION, PROVIDING FOR ITS 
DEVELOPMENT AND APPROPRIATING FUNDS THEREFOR
EXPLANATORY NOTE
TTie Manaoag Church, formally known as the Minor Basilica of Our Lady of the 
Rosary of Manaoag, is acknowledged as one of the most famous and significant Marian 
churches in the country.
The shrine houses the 17th Century ivory image of the Blessed Virgin Mary 
which is venerated by millions of pilgrims across the country. Considered as the 
pilgrimage center of the north, the basilica is easily one of renowned attractions in 
Pangasinan. In 2018, it was visited by around six million devotees and tourists. Two 
million individuals flock to the church during the observance of the Holy Week.
The National Museum also declared the Minor Basilica as a National Cultural 
Treasure on December 2015 which underscores its outstanding historical, cultural, and 
artistic value that is important to the country.
Considering the status and importance of the church to the Filipino Catholics 
and the entire nation, we seek to prioritize further development of the area as a prime 
tourism destination and pilgrimage site. This measure directs the Department of 
Tourism to ensure accessibility and security of its visitors and to preserve its historical 
and cultural significance.
In this light, the immediate passage of this bill is earnestly sought.
RAMONyBONG REVILLA, JR


NINETEENTH CONGRESS OF THE 
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES 
First Regular Session
SENATE
s.B. No. 1 f567
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)
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of fill’ S' •;
*22 NOV 29 P5:15
RliCEiVID BV.
Introduced by Senator Ramon Bong Revilla, Jr.
AN ACT
DECLARING THE BASILICA OF OUR LADY OF THE ROSARY OF MANAOAG 
IN THE MUNICIPALITY OF MANAOAG, PROVINCE OF PANGASINAN AS A 
PILGRIMAGE SITE AND TOURISM DESTINATION, PROVIDING FOR ITS 
DEVELOPMENT AND APPROPRIATING FUNDS THEREFOR
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the Congress assembled:
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SECTION 1. The Basilica of Our Lady of the Rosary of Manaoag is hereby
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declared a pilgrimage site and tourism destination. As such, its development shall be
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prioritized by the Department of Tourism (DOT) and other concerned agencies, subject
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to the rules and regulations governing the development of pilgrimage sites and tourist
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destinations.
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Sec. 2. The DOT, in coordination with the Department of Public Works and
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Highways (DPWH), the National Historical Commission of the Philippines (NHCP), the
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local government of Manaoag in Pangasinan and other concerned agencies of the
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government shall, immediately after the approval of this Act, prepare a tourism
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development plan involving the construction, installation and maintenance of
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appropriate facilities and infrastructure which shall improve the overall features of the
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area, thereby ensuring accessibility and the security of the pilgrims and tourists;
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Provided, that the said development plan shall ensure the preservation and
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conservation of the historical significance of the area.
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Sec. 3. The DOT and its attached agencies shall take immediate steps in 
implementing the tourism development for the Basilica of Our Lady of Manaoag and 
shall incorporate the same in its overall development plans and programs for the 
calendar year immediately succeeding the approval of this Act.
Sec. 4. Within sixty (60) days from the effectivity of this Act, the DOT, in 
consultation with the local government unit of Manaoag, shall promulgate the 
necessary rules and regulations for the proper implementation of this Act.
Sec. 5. The Secretaries of the DOT and the DPWH shall include in their 
respective Department's program the implementation of this Act, the funding of which 
shall be included in the annual General Appropriations Act and shall augment such 
allocation with the internally generated funds of the DOT.
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.