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

NINETEENTH CONGRESS
First Regular Session 4

vane, 4514 sis

HOUSE BILL NO.

Introduced by Rep. LORETO 8. ACHARON

EXPLANATORY NOTE

‘On June 16, 1948, Republic Act No. 289 was enacted to provide for the construction of a national pantheon
for presidents of the Philippines, national heroes, and patriots of the country. This law institutionalized
the existence of Republic Memorial Cemetery established in May 1947 at Fort McKinley, 2 military
reservation that is Fort Bonifacio today.

Republic Memorial Cemetery was rededicated and renamed as “Libingan ng mga Bayani” on October 27,
1954, by the late President Ramon Magsaysay and thereafter on May 28, 1967, then President Ferdinand
E. Marcos further reinforced and emphasized its importance through the issuance of Proclamation No.
208 to reserve an area of 142 hectares exclusively for national shrine purposes, excluding such portions
of land of the public domain from the operation of Presidential Proclamation No. 423 dated July 12, 1957.

(On April 9, 1986, the late President Corazon C. Aquino thru the AFP Chief of Staff caused the issuance of
‘Armed Forces Regulations No. G 161-373 which established the internment policy for the burial of other
personalities at the Libingan ng Mga Bayani (LMNB), such policy strengthened further by Executive Order
No. 131 issued on October 26, 1993, by the late President Fidel V. Ramos.

These policy issuances and directives that emanated from succeeding administrations resulted to the
overcrowding of the LMNB site such that the Philippine Army Support Command of the Armed Forces of
the Philippines thru its Grave Service Unit - the administrators of the LMINB - began to explore the
possibility of establishing annexes in other areas in Luzon, the Visayas and Mindanao.

Upon the initiative of the Department of National Defense (OND) and the Bases Conversion and
Development Authority (BCDA), a 5-year development plan for the cemetery is in the pipeline with the
{goal of transforming the LNMB into a world-class national cemetery with a historical theme park and a
memorial shrine.

Notwithstanding such plans, the issue of overcrowding remains a lingering concern and of utmost priority,
such that the establishment of LNMB annexes in other parts of the country can no longer be delayed.


The State should honor their memories by allowing families, relatives, friends and “kababayans” to visit
and pay tribute to these esteemed, distinguished, and honorable individuals who not just gave their time,
talents, skills; shed sweat and tears; but most importantly sacrificed their lives in the service of their fellow
Filipinos and in the name of freedom, liberty, and democracy.

This bill therefore seeks the establishment of a Libingan ng mga Bayani Annex in other parts of Luzon, in
the Visayas and Mindanao.

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

La

LORETO B. ACHARON



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

NINETEENTH CONGRESS
First Regular Session

au.

HOUSE BILL NO.

Introduced by Rep. LORETO B. ACHAR'

AN
ACT ESTABLISHING LIBINGAN NG MGA BAYANI (LNMB) ANNEXES IN LUZON, VISAYAS
AND MINDANAO, AND APPROPRIATING FUNDS THEREFOR.

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

SECTION I. Libingan ng mga Bayani Annexes in other parts of Luzon, in the Visayas and in
Mindanao are hereby established.

SEC. 2. The Secretary of the Department of National Defense (DND) shal! immediately include in
the department's program the operationalization of the Libingan ng mga Bayani Annexes. the initial funding
of which shall be charged against the current year’s appropriation of the Philippine Army Support
Command ~ Grave Services Unit.

Thereafier, such sums as may be necessary for the completion and continued operations of the
LNMB Annexes shall be included in the Annual General Appropriations Act.

SEC. 3. The Secretary of the DND shall issue such rules and regulations necessary for the effective
implementation of this Act.

SEC. 4. ‘This Act shall take effect after fifteen (15) days following the completion of its publication
in the Official Gazette, or in two (2) newspapers of general circulation.

APPROVED.