Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Quezon City

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DATESUL 0 6 raze A

NINETEI fH CONGRESS
First Regular Session

House Bill No.__ 1382

Introduced by
REPRESENTATIVE MIKAELA ANGELA B. SUANSING

AN ACT
DECLARING THE IMMEDIATE ENVIRONS OF THE DIOCESAN SHRINE OF
SAINT JOHN THE BAPTIST CHURCH, ALSO KNOWN AS “TAONG PUTIK
DAMBANA NI SAN JUAN BAUTISTA”, IN BARANGAY  BIBICLAT,
MUNICIPALITY OF ALIAGA, PROVINCE OF NUEVA ECIJA, A TOURIST
DESTINATION, PROVIDING FOR ITS DEVELOPMENT, AND APPROPRIATING
FUNDS THEREFOR

EXPLANATORY NOTE

Saint John the Baptist is the patron saint of Barangay Bibiclat, Aliaga, Nueva Ecija.
‘The devotion to St. John the Baptist traces its roots during the Japanese occupation in World
War Il. It is said that when Japanese soldiers were to execute all the men in the barangay in
retaliation for the death of their compatriots, the villagers prayed hard for their loved ones to
be saved. When the men were to be executed, it rained so hard that the captives had to be herded
into the church, where later, some of the Japanese soldiers were convinced that the rain was a
sign of disapproval from heaven. The residents attributed this miracle to St. John the Baptist
and have vowed to pay homage to the saint since then.

On the saint's feast day, celebrated every 24" of June, Barangay Bibiclat welcomes
thousands of tourists, pilgrims, and devotees. These people participate in the unique religious
event called Pagsasa Juan, or more popularly known as the Taong Putik Festival. This event
is covered by national news and wire media every year.

On August 29, 2013, Saint John the Baptist Church was declared a diocesan shrine; the
declaration rite was led by Cabanatuan City Bishop Softonio Bancud, together with parish
priest Rev. Fr. Carlos Padilla and other members of the clergy. Being declared a diocesan
church means that Barangay Bibiclat’s patron saint, Saint John the Baptist, is a miraculous
patron. With this declaration, more pilgrims and tourists have come to the barangay not only
during the feast of Saint John the Baptist but the year round.


With the influx of tourists and pilgrims to the area, there is now a need to ensure that
the area surrounding the church remains safe, secure, and accessible and that the environs are
preserved and conserved at the same time. This bill, therefore, aims to declare the immediate
environs of the Diocesan Shrine of Saint John the Baptist Church, also known as the “Taong
Putik Dambana ni San Juan Bautista”, in Barangay Bibiclat, Municipality of Aliaga, Province
of Nueva Ecija a tourist destination.

The bill mandates the Department of Public Works and Highways, the Department of
Tourism, and other concerned agencies of the government, to prepare a tourism development
plan that shall improve the overall features of the environs surrounding the Diocesan Shrine of,
Saint John the Baptist Church, ensuring its accessibility and the security of the tourists while
at the same time making sure that the preservation and conservation of the tourism significance
of the area is observed.

In view of the foregoing, the immediate passage of this bill is earnestly sought.'

MIKAEL SUANSING
i a Ecija

1 This bill was originally filed by Rep. Estrellita B. Suansing during the 18 Congress and was approved on Third
and Final Reading,


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Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES,
Quezon City

NINETEENTH CONGRESS
First Regular Session

House Bill No. 13 82

Introduced by
REPRESENTATIVE MIKAELA ANGELA B. SUANSING

AN ACT
DECLARING THE IMMEDIATE ENVIRONS OF THE DIOCESAN SHRINE OF
SAINT JOHN THE BAPTIST CHURCH, ALSO KNOWN AS “TAONG PUTIK
DAMBANA NI SAN JUAN BAUTISTA”, IN BARANGAY  BIBICLAT,
MUNICIPALITY OF ALIAGA, PROVINCE OF NUEVA ECIJA, A TOURIST
DESTINATION, PROVIDING FOR ITS DEVELOPMENT, AND APPROPRIATING
FUNDS THEREFOR

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

SECTION 1. The immediate environs of the Diocesan Shrine of Saint John the Baptist Church,
also known as “Taong Putik Dambana ni San Juan Bautista”, in Barangay Bibiclat,
Municipality of Aliaga, Province of Nueva Ecija, is hereby declared a tourist destination. The
development of the immediate environs of the Diocesan Shrine of Saint John the Baptist
‘Church shall be prioritized by the Department of Tourism (DOT) and other concerned agencies,
‘subject to the rules and regulations governing the development to tourist destinations.

SEC. 2. Within one (1) year after the approval of this Act. the DOT, in coordination with the
Department of Public Works and Highways and other concerned agencies of the government,
shall prepare a tourism development plan that shall include the construction, installation and
maintenance of such appropriate facilities and infrastructure that shall improve the overall
features of the environs surrounding the Diocesan Shrine of Saint John the Baptist Church,
thereby ensuring its accessibility and the security of tourists: Provided, That said development
plan shall ensure the preservation and conservation of the tourism significance of the area.

SEC. 3. The DOT and its concerned attached agencies shall take immediate steps to implement
the tourism development plan for the immediate environs of the Diocesan Shrine of Saint John
the Baptist Church, and shall incorporate the same in its tourism development program for the
calendar year immediately succeeding the approval of this Act.


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SEC. 4. The Secretary of the DOT shall include in the 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 internally generated funds of the
Department.

SEC. 5. Within sixty (60) days ftom the effectivity of this Act, the DOT shall, in consultation
with the municipal government of Nampicuan, promulgate the necessary rules and regulations
for the proper implementation of this Act.

SEC. 6. All laws, rules, regulations, executive orders, presidential decrees or other issuances
inconsistent with any of the provisions of this Act are hereby deemed repealed or amended

accordingly.

SEC. 7. This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after its publication in the Official Gazette
or in a newspaper of general circulation.

Approved,