Republic of the Philippines 
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES 
Quezon City 
20TH CONGRESS  
First Regular Session 
House Bill No. 1402 
Introduced by: REP. JOEL R. CHUA 
Explanatory Note 
This Bill seeks to declare the immediate environs of Quiapo Church, Plaza 
Miranda, San Sebastian Church, and Plaza del Carmen as a National Heritage Zone. 
During the 19th Congress, this Representation filed a similar Bill which was later 
consolidated to become House Bill No. 8664. The same was approved on third reading 
and was transmitted to the Senate for its consideration. Unfortunately, due to lack of 
material time, the Bill remained in the Senate Committee level.  
This Bill is the same as what was approved by the 19th Congress. As such, this 
Representation reiterates my explanation stated in my original Bill: 
At the heart of the City of Manila lies the vibrant area of Quiapo. For many 
reasons, Quiapo has become a household name, a landmark, and a symbol for many 
Filipinos. Within this area, two historical churches may be found: the Minor Basilica of 
the Black Nazarene, popularly known as Quiapo Church, and the Minor Basilica of San 
Sebastian.  
 The Quiapo Church was founded at around 1578, and it serves as the home of the 
miraculous Black Nazarene Statue for whom thousands of devotees would gather every 
Friday, and on its feast day.  The Minor Basilica of San Sebastian is just as significant, as 
the only all-steel church in the country making it an architectural marvel.  
Ultimately, there is a need to declare the immediate environs of Quiapo Church, 
Plaza Miranda, San Sebastian Church, and Plaza del Carmen as a National Heritage Zone 
for the restoration of their infrastructures, preservation of its culture, and the 
rehabilitation of the community as a whole.  
In view of the foregoing, the passage of this bill is earnestly sought. 
REP. JOEL R. CHUA 
July 7, 2025
11:17 am


3rd District of Manila 
Republic of the Philippines 
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES 
Quezon City  
20TH CONGRESS  
First Regular Session 
House Bill No. 1402 
Introduced by: REP. JOEL R. CHUA 
AN ACT 
DECLARING THE IMMEDIATE ENVIRONS OF QUIAPO CHURCH, PLAZA 
MIRANDA, SAN SEBASTIAN CHURCH, PLAZA DEL CARMEN, QUEZON 
BRIDGE, THE LIFE THEATRE OR OLD VILLONGCO BUILDING, AND 
OTHER BUILT HERITAGE WITH NOTABLE HISTORICAL AND CULTURAL 
SIGNIFICANCE AS NATIONAL HERITAGE ZONE, PROVIDING FOR THEIR 
RESTORATION, REHABILITATION, CONSERVATION, AND DEVELOPMENT, 
AND APPROPRIATING FUNDS THEREFOR  
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the Philippines in Congress 
assembled:    
SECTION 1. Title. – This Act shall be known as the “Quiapo Heritage Zone Act”.  
SEC. 2. Declaration of Policy. – It is hereby declared the policy of the State to 
protect, preserve, and conserve the nation's cultural heritage, its properties and history, and 
the traditions of local communities.  
To this end, the State shall endeavor to designate heritage zones to protect the 
historical and cultural integrity of a geographical area and deepen our sense of unity, 
belonging and national pride.  
SEC. 3. Quiapo Heritage Zone. – As provided for in Article II, Section 3(q) and 
Article IV, Sections 12 and 13 of Republic Act (RA) No. 10066, otherwise known as the 
“National Cultural Heritage Act of 2009”, there is hereby established a heritage zone in 
the immediate environs of Quiapo Church, Plaza Miranda, San Sebastian Church, Plaza 
Del Carmen, Quezon Bridge, The Life Theatre or Old Villongco Building, and other built 
heritage with notable historical and cultural significance.  


  
  
  
The Quiapo Heritage Zone shall be bounded on the west by Evangelista Street, 
wrapping around the properties surrounding Quiapo Church and Plaza Miranda; on the 
north by rear property lines of buildings facing Escaldo Street and F. R. Hidalgo Street, 
continuing northwest along the rear property lines of buildings facing San Sebastian Street 
and northeast along Recto Avenue; on the east bounded by the side property lines of the 
San Sebastian College complex and Plaza del Carmen; and on the south, following the 
south bank of the Estero de Quiapo and wrapping around the rear property lines of 
buildings facing Hidalgo Street and A. Bautista Street.  
  
The Quiapo Heritage Zone shall also include the traditional route of the Feast of the 
Black Nazarene procession to sustain socio-cultural practice within the heritage zone. It 
shall have an established core and buffer zones.  
  
The City Government of Manila shall, in coordination with the National Historical 
Commission of the Philippines (NHCP), National Commission for Culture and the Arts 
(NCCA), and other concerned stakeholders, conduct a public hearing to consult the owners 
of affected sites and structures, designated representatives of the community, cultural 
heritage organizations, religious organizations, and heritage preservation professionals, 
such as architects, historians, archaeologists, anthropologists, and sociologists,  in order to 
determine and identify the specific sites and structures to be declared as part of the Quiapo 
Heritage Zone: Provided, That the owners of the sites and structures which shall be 
identified to become part of the Quiapo Heritage Zone during the public hearing shall be 
included in the formulation of the implementing rules and regulations of this Act.  
  
The Quiapo Heritage Zone shall be accorded priority development by the 
Department of Tourism (DOT) and other concerned national government agencies and 
local government units (LGUs) and shall be subject to existing laws and rules and 
regulations governing the development of national heritage zones.  
  
SEC. 4. Development Plan of the Quiapo Heritage Zone. – Within the period of 
one (1) year from the effectivity of this Act, the DOT shall, in partnership with the Tourism 
Infrastructure and Enterprise Zone Authority (TIEZA), Department of Public Works and 
Highways (DPWH), Department of Human Settlements and Urban Development, the City 
Government of Manila, NHCP, NCCA, and other concerned government agencies, 
prepare the development plan involving the restoration, rehabilitation, conservation and 
maintenance of such appropriate facilities: Provided, That said development shall ensure 
the preservation of the cultural heritage and the historical significance of the identified 
areas: Provided, further, That the NHCP and NCCA shall approve only those methods and 
materials that strictly adhere to the accepted international standards of conservation in 
undertaking conservation and restoration works, as provided for in Section 15 of RA 


10066: Provided, finally, That the City Government of Manila shall pass a city ordinance 
to operationalize appropriately the management of the Quiapo Heritage Zone, including 
all the cultural properties designated as intrinsic thereto, in accordance with the 
development plan and in line with the objectives and provisions of RA 10066 and this Act.  
  
  
A comprehensive Conservation Management Plan is likewise created, which shall 
be headed by a site manager, to be designated by the City Government of Manila and 
assisted by the NHCP, who shall commit and sustain this undertaking and shall serve as the 
guide for the conduct of a thorough cultural mapping and for the development of the site.  
  
All plans for the development and conservation of the Quiapo Heritage Zone shall 
be based on consultations and coordination with the civil society – designated 
representatives of the communities to be affected by the plans, cultural heritage 
organizations, religious organizations, and heritage preservation professionals.   
  
SEC. 5. Coordination with National Government Agencies and LGUs. – The 
DOT shall, together with the TIEZA and DPWH and in coordination with the NHCP, 
NCCA, and the City Government of Manila, set forth, incorporate in the infrastructure 
program, and implement the necessary construction and/or improvement of roads and 
other infrastructure upon the effectivity of this Act.  
  
SEC. 6. Exemption from Real Property Tax. – Private properties designated as 
Important Cultural Property or National Cultural Treasure as declared by the NHCP or the 
NCCA shall be exempt from the Real Property Tax: Provided, That the owners of these 
private properties shall be responsible in the restoration, rehabilitation, conservation, and 
maintenance of their respective properties: Provided, further, That in the event the owner 
inappropriately or unnecessarily introduces intervention, damage, and degradation so 
severe as to diminish or destroy the heritage significance, the owner shall be fined with 
the corresponding back taxes.    
  
SEC. 7. Implementing Rules and Regulations. – The NHCP shall, in consultation 
with the NCCA, DOT, TIEZA, DPWH, City Government of Manila, and other official 
regulatory agencies and concerned stakeholders, promulgate the rules and regulations 
implementing the provisions of this Act.   
  
SEC. 8.  Appropriations. – The Secretaries of the DOT and the DPWH shall 
include in their programs the implementation of this Act, the funding of which shall be 
included in the annual General Appropriations Act.  
  
SEC. 9. Separability Clause. – Should any portion or provision of this Act be 
declared unconstitutional or invalid by a competent court, the other portions or provisions 
hereof shall remain in full force and effect.  
  


SEC. 10. Repealing Clause. – All laws, decrees, executive orders, letters of 
implementation, rules and regulations or part or parts thereof inconsistent with any 
provision of this Act are hereby repealed or amended accordingly.  
  
SEC. 11. Effectivity. – This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after its 
publication in the Official Gazette or in a newspaper of general circulation.  
  
Approved,