Republic of the Philippines 
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES 
Quezon City 
NINETEENTH CONGRESS 
First Regular Session 
HOUSE BILL NO. ___________ 
Introduced by Representative Ambrosio “Boy” C. Cruz, Jr. 
EXPLANATORY NOTE 
Ancestral houses are a few of the tangible reminders of the Philippine’s colorful 
history. Maintained for generations, these structures hold memories of days long gone. One 
of these ancestral houses is Bahay na Tisa.  
Nestled in the Municipality of Balagtas, Bulacan, Bahay na Tisa is a testament to the 
rich history and culture of Bulacan.  
Bahay na Tisa was built in the 1800s and is one of the oldest houses in the province. 
Beyond its exquisite design reminiscent of the olden days, Bahay na Tisa also has many stories 
to tell. It was originally owned by Captain Valentin Constantino, a former mayor of the 
province and one of the richest persons in the area at that time.  It also served as a temporary 
home to our National Hero Dr. Jose Rizal during his visit to Malolos. 1 According to the stories, 
Japanese soldiers built a prison in the basement of the house during the Japanese occupation. 
After the war, it was rented out as a school. 2 
At present, Bahay na Tisa still stands proud along MacArthur Highway in front of 
Balagtas Municipal Hall. It remains well-appreciated by locals and visitors alike even after 
hundreds of years since it was built.  
As such, this bill aims to declare Bahay na Tisa as a historical and tourism site to 
preserve its existence as a vestige of the rich history and culture of Balagtas, Bulacan. Through 
this bill, its significance will be further highlighted, not only to Bulacan but to the whole 
country as well. This is in consonance with Article 14, Section 16 of the 1987 Philippine 
Constitution which states: “All the country’s artistic and historic wealth constitutes the 
cultural treasure of the nation and shall be under the protection of the State which may 
regulate its disposition.” 
1 https://www.balagtas.gov.ph/index.php/tourism/bahay-na-tisa 
2 https://tinyurl.com/3jcsddva and https://tinyurl.com/yn4xnyyy 
August 30, 2022
1:58 pm
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Considering the foregoing, the immediate approval of this proposed measure is 
earnestly sought. 
     AMBROSIO “BOY” C. CRUZ, JR. 
Representative, Fifth District of Bulacan 


Republic of the Philippines 
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES 
Quezon City 
NINETEENTH CONGRESS 
First Regular Session 
HOUSE BILL NO. ___________ 
Introduced by Representative Ambrosio “Boy” C. Cruz, Jr. 
AN ACT DECLARING BAHAY NA TISA IN BALAGTAS, BULACAN AS A 
HISTORICAL AND TOURISM SITE AND APPROPRIATING FUNDS THEREFOR 
Be it enacted by the Senate and the House of Representatives of the Philippines in Congress 
assembled: 
Section 1. Short Title. – This Act shall be known as the “Bahay na Tisa Historical and 
Tourism Site Act.” 
Section 2. Scope and Coverage. –  Bahay na Tisa, located in Balagtas, Bulacan is hereby 
declared a historical and tourist site. In view thereof, the development and preservation of 
Bahay na Tisa shall be prioritized by the Department of Tourism (DOT), in coordination with 
the Municipality of Balagtas  and other related agencies, subject to the rules and regulations 
governing the development of historical and tourist sites.   
Section 3. Tourism Development Plan. – The DOT in coordination with the Tourism 
Infrastructure and Enterprise Zone Authority (TIEZA) and other government agencies, 
including the National Historical Commission of the Philippines, shall prepare a tourism 
development plan. The said tourism development plan shall consist, among others, the 
development and maintenance, including improvement and restoration of the site: Provided, 
that said tourism development plan shall ensure the preservation of Bahay na Tisa.  
Section 4 Implementation. – The DOT, in coordination with TIEZA and other 
concerned agencies including the National Historical Commission of the Philippines, shall 
promulgate the necessary rules and regulations for the proper implementation of this Act.   
Section 5. Appropriations and funding. – The Secretary of the DOT in the 
Department’s program the implementation of this act, the funding of which shall be included 
in the annual General Appropriations Act and from internally generated funds of the DOT.  
Section 6. Separability clause. - If any provision of this Act shall be declared invalid 
or unconstitutional, such declaration shall not affect the validity of the remaining provisions 
of this Act.  
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Section 7. Repealing clause. - All provisions of laws, presidential decrees, letters of 
instruction and other presidential issuances which are incompatible or inconsistent with the 
provisions of this Act are hereby deemed amended or repealed.  
Section 8. Effectivity. - This Act shall take effect within fifteen (15) days following its 
publication in the Official Gazette or in at least two (2) national newspapers of general 
circulation.  
Approved,