NINETEENTH CONGRESS OF THE 
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES 
First Regular Session
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SENATE
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23 MAY “9 A10 35
S. No.
Introduced by SENATOR RAMON BONG REVILLA, JR.
AN ACT
DECLARING THE IMMEDIATE ENVIRONS OF SAN ROQUE PARISH CHURCH, 
ALSO KNOWN AS THE DIOCESAN SHRINE OF NUESTRA SENORA DELA 
SOLEDAD DE PORTA VAGA, LOCATED IN THE CITY OF CAVITE, PROVINCE 
OF CAVITE, A TOURISM DESTINATION
EXPLANATORY NOTE
San Roque Church is known for being the shrine of Nuestra Senora Dela 
Soledad De Porta Vaga (Our Lady of Soiitude of Porta Vaga), one of the oldest Marian 
paintings in the country. Relatedly, it Is considered as one of the most famous Marian 
devotions, whose origin story remains a mystery.
Legend narrates that in one stormy night, a Spanish sentinel at the Vaga Gate 
of Cavite Port saw a bright light on Cahacao Bay. Fearing that It was a group of pirates, 
the sentry called out to demand it to stop. In a melodious voice, someone replied, 
"Soldier boy, why challenge me on a night so cold? Let me pass. Don't you recognize 
Maria?" In deep shock, the sentinel begged for forgiveness.
When the storm had subsided, fisherfolks found a framed painting of Our Lady 
of Porta Vaga along the beach, near the area where the Virgin appeared to the sentry 
the night before. Some claimed that it had washed up from a Spanish galleon that 
sank during the storm. The natives brought the artifact to the parish priest, who 
installed it temporarily in the parish church which is now known as the San Roque 
Church.
This measure seeks to establish the Immediate environs of San Roque Parish 
Church, also known as the Diocesan Shrine of Nuestra Senora Dela Soledad De Porta 
Vaga, located in the City of Cavite, Province of Cavite, as tourism destination and 
pilgrimage site.
In view of the foregoing, the approval of this measure is earnestly sought.
RAMO
JR.


NINETEENTH CONGRESS OF THE 
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES 
First Regular Session
ot tiie » -
23 MI\Y-9 AlOO!^
SENATE
NO. 2155
Introduced by SENATOR RAMON BONG REVILLA, JR.
AN ACT
DECLARING THE IMMEDIATE ENVIRONS OF SAN ROQUE PARISH CHURCH, 
ALSO KNOWN AS THE DIOCESAN SHRINE OF NUESTRA SENORA DELA 
SOLEDAD DE PORTA VAGA, LOCATED IN THE CITY OF CAVITE, PROVINCE 
OF CAVITE, A TOURISM DESTINATION
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the Philippines in 
Congress assembled:
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Section 1. The immediate environs of the San Roque Parish Church, also known
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as the Diocesan Shrine of Nuestra Senora Dela Soledad De Porta Vaga, located In the
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City of Cavite, Province of Cavite, are hereby declared a tourism destination. Pursuant
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thereto. Its development shall be prioritized and supported by the Department of
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Tourism (DOT), subject to the rules and regulations governing the development of
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tourism destinations.
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Sec. 2. Within one (1) year after the approval of this Act, the local government
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of the City of Cavite shall, in coordination with the DOT, Department of Public Works
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and Highways, National Historical Commission of the Philippines and concerned
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agencies of the government, prepare a tourism development plan that shall include
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the construction. Installation, and maintenance of such appropriate facilities and
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infrastructure to improve the overall features of the immediate environs surrounding
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the San Roque Parish Church, thereby enduring its accessibility and security of the
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tourists: Provided, That said development plan shall ensure the preservation and
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conservation of the historical significance of the area: Provided, further, That the
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implementation of the tourism development plan shall be Included in the budget of
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the local government of the Qty of Cavite.
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Sec. 3. The DOT shall assist the local government of the City of Cavite in the
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implementation of the tourism development plan by providing technical assistance in
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tourism capacity building. It shall also include the immediate environs of the San
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Roque Parish Church In Its national and regional promotion programs.
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Sec. 4. The funding for the implementation of this Act shall be included in the
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annual budget of the local government of the Qty of Cavite. The DOT may augment
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such allocation with internally generated funds.
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Sec. 5. Within sixty (60) days from the effectivity of this Act, the local
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government of the City of Cavite, in consultation with the DOT and concerned agencies
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of the government, promulgate the rules and regulations to Implement this Act.
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Sec. 6. This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after its publication In the
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Official Gazette or in a newspaper of general circulation.
Approved,