Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Quezon City

SIXTEENTH CONGRESS
Second Regular Session

House Bill No, 4823 _

Introduced by Rep. LAWRENCE LEMUEL H. FORTUN

EXPLANATORY NOTE

Article XIV of the 1987 Constitiution provides, to wit

“yA

Seevion 19. xxx, The State shall conserve, promote and popularize the nation’s historical
and cultural heritage and resources, as well as artistic creations.

Section 16, All the country’s artistic and historic wealth constitutes the cultural weasures
of the nation and shall be under the protection of the State which may regulate its
disposition. xxx.”

This bill is consistent with and in pursuance of the foregoing provisions of our
Constitution.

Butuan City has a vibrant history and rich cultural heritage. Before its colonization, it was
called the Kingdom of Butuan and was known for its metallurgic industry and sophisticated naval
technology. Located in the northeastern part of the Agusan Valley and across the Agusan River,
Butuan was a center of economic and cultural activites since the 4” Century as evidenced by
avtifacts rom that period found in the area, Ancient historical accounts, including those of the
Chinese anal Song Shih, indicate that Butuan City had been engaged in trade relations not only
with with Vietnam, but also with China as early as the 10° Century,

ne technology is the discovery of the Balangay Boat, otherwise
and

Proof to its advanced mariti
known as the Butuan Boat, The boat is the first wooden watercralt excavated in Southeast Asi
is found only in Butuan where a flotilla of such ancient boats exists, The extant boats found in the
excavation sites in Butuan date back (© 320 A.D., 990 A.D, and 1250 A.D. The utilization of these
boals to maintain trade relations with neighboring islands and neighboring empires prove robust
trade and commercial activities in the [1 Century in the area,

Further, numerous artifacts have been excavated by archeologists such as gold jewelry, death
masks, weighing scales and porcelains that lead to the conclusion that Butuan was then a center of
trade and commer

During the colonial period, historical accounts show that on March 31, 1521, an Easter
Sunday, Ferdinand Magellan ordered the celebration of a mass in Butuan. In remembrance of this
important historical Christian event that is claimed to be the first in the country, the Bood
Promontory, an eco-park located at the very site of the mass, was built. Also related to the rich
cultural history of Butuan is the Banza Church Ruins. The ruins consist of a part of bell tower of a
church built by Spanish friars in 1625 and said 1o be the first Christian chureh in Mindanao.



Even far older than the foregoing are the Bequibel and Bitor shell middens in Brgy.
Bonbon of Butuan City that prove human habitation and civilization in Butuan as early as the
Neolithic Age or about 7,000 years ago. Artifacts recovered at the shell middens demonstrate pa
human presence, their culture and activities in the area.

st

Butuan City’s cultural heritage need to be preserved and made known to our people and
peoples of the world, Butuan City is a center of learning and discovery for its rich heritage and
historical past. [Lis hoped that with the passage of this bill, the Department of Tourism and other
appropriate agencics can implement institutionalized and sustained programs for the introduction
of the necessary facilities, infrastructure, information and promotion mechanisms for the
preservation and promotion of Butuan’s rich heritage, The National Historical Institute and the
National Museum will likewise continue with ils mandate to preserve, conserve and protect the
archeological findings and artifacts in the area
otherwise known as the National Cultural Heritage Act of 2009.

In view of the foregoing, the passage of this bill is mos


Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Quezon City *
SIXTEENTH CONGRESS
Second Regular Session

House Bill No. 4823

Introduced by by Rep. LAWRENCE LEMUEL H. FORTUN

AN ACT
DECLARING THE CITY OF BUTUAN A HERITAGE TOURISM ZONE,
APPROPRIATING FUNDS THEREFOR AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES

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

SECTION 1. ‘The City of Butuan is hereby declared as a heritage tourism zone, As such, it shall
be accorded priority development by the Department of Tourism (DOT) in coordination with the
National Historical Institute, the National Museum and other government agencies, It shall be
subject to the rules and regulations governing the development of tourist zones.

SECTION 2 ‘The City of Butuan is rich with historical and cultural landmarks, rivers and
mountain resources, indigenous communities, and other areas full of potentials for heritage,
historical and cultural (ourism industry

SECTION 8. ‘The DOT, in coordination with the Tourism Infrastructure and Enterprise Zone
Authority (IEZA) and other concerned agencies of the government, including Uie National
Historical Institute and National Museum, shall prepare the necessary tourism spots development
plan, providing for their development and maintenance, including improvement and restoration of
sites, where appropriate, in conformity with set forth standards, construction of hotels, resorts,
restaurants, recreational facilities and other appropriate facilities and infrastructure; Provided, That
the said development plan shall ensure the preservation of the cultural, heritage and the historical
significance of the area/s concerned

SECTION 4. ‘The Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH), in coordination with
the DOT, shall set forth in place the necessary construction and/or improvement of roads and
other infrasuucture upon the promulgation of this Act and incorporate it in its infrastructure
program.

SECTION 5, The DOT shall take immediate steps to implement the development plan and
incorporate it in the Department's overall tourism development program for the ensuing year.
‘The DOT shall likewise promulgate the necessary rules and regulations for the proper
implementation of this Act.

SECTION 6. ‘The Secretary of the DO'T and the Secretary of the DPWH shall include in their
respective programs the implementation of this Act, the funding of which shall be included in the
anmual General Appropriations Act and/or charged against the internally generated funds of the
bor.

SECTION 7. All laws, presidential decrees, executive orders, rules and regulations or parts
thereof which are inconsistent with any of the provisions of this Act shall be deemed repeal or
modified accordingly.

SECTION. 8. This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after its complete publication in the two
(2) newspapers of general circulation,

Approved,