Republic of the Philippines 
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES 
Quezon City, Metro Manila 
NINETEENTH CONGRESS 
First Regular Session 
HOUSE BILL NO. ____________ 
Introduced by 
HON. CHRISTOPHERSON “COCO” M. YAP 
AN ACT CONVERTING THE SAINT BERNARD - HINUNGAN DIVERSION ROAD LOCATED IN THE 
MUNICIPALITY OF SAINT BERNARD AND THE MUNICIPALITY HINUNANGAN, IN THE PROVINCE 
OF SOUTHERN LEYTE, INTO A NATIONAL ROAD, AND APPROPRIATING FUNDS THEREFOR 
EXPLANATORY NOTE 
This proposed measure seeks to facilitate trade, commerce, and tourism and enhance 
travel in the “Pacific Towns” of the Province of Southern Leyte by converting the Saint 
Bernard – Hinunangan Diversion Road into a national road under the supervision of 
the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH).  
The Saint Bernard – Hinunangan Diversion Road cuts the travel distance from the 
Municipality of Saint Bernard to the Municipality of Hinunangan from thirty-three (33) 
to eighteen (18) kilometers. It routes traffic directly heading for Hinunangan and 
decongests the roads in the población areas of Saint Bernard, San Juan, Anahawan, and 
Hinundayan, So. Leyte, thus saving travel time as well as travel cost. 
This road network is the fastest route from the province of Southern Leyte to the 
regional centers in Palo and Tacloban, Leyte, when the Agas-Agas route becomes 
unpassable due to constant landslides. This road also provides an alternative route in 
times of calamities, such as during Typhoon Odette, while the coastal highway is 
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undergoing road clearing. Thus, putting this diversion road in the jurisdiction of DPWH 
is paramount to give it jurisdiction over its improvements, maintenance, and repairs. 
Passage of this bill will significantly stimulate and promote the economic development 
of the various barangays traversed by this road network and will likewise increase 
commercial activity, spur business and financial movement in the municipalities 
bounded by this diversion road, and would encourage new investments to speed up 
recovery of these Odette-torn areas. 
Thus, approval of this proposed measure is earnestly requested. 
CHRISTOPHERSON “COCO” M. YAP 
Representative, Second District of Southern Leyte 


Republic of the Philippines 
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES 
Quezon City, Metro Manila 
NINETEENTH CONGRESS 
First Regular Session 
HOUSE BILL NO. ____________ 
Introduced by 
HON. CHRISTOPHERSON “COCO” M. YAP 
AN ACT 
CONVERTING THE SAINT BERNARD - HINUNGAN DIVERSION ROAD 
LOCATED IN THE MUNICIPALITY OF SAINT BERNARD AND THE 
MUNICIPALITY HINUNANGAN, IN THE PROVINCE OF SOUTHERN 
LEYTE, INTO A NATIONAL ROAD AND APPROPRIATING FUNDS 
THEREFOR 
Be it enacted by the Senate and the House of Representatives of the Philippines in 
Congress assembled: 
SECTION 1. To facilitate trade, commerce, and tourism in the Pacific Towns of the 
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Second District of Southern Leyte and further enhance travel therein, the 
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Saint Bernard – Hinunangan Diversion Road from Barangay Mahayahay, 
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Municipality of Saint Bernard to Barangay Badiangon, Municipality of 
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Hinunangan, in the Province of Southern Leyte, is hereby converted into 
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a national road under the direct supervision of the Department of Public 
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Works and Highways (DPWH). 
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SEC. 2. 
The amount necessary for the effective implementation of this Act shall be 
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charged against the appropriation for the DPWH. Thereafter, such 
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amount necessary for its improvement, repair, and maintenance shall be 
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included in the annual General Appropriations Act. 
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SEC. 3. 
This act shall take effect within fifteen (15) days after its publication in 
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the Official Gazette or a newspaper of general circulation.  
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Approved, 
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