FOURTEENTH CONGRESS OF THE 
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES 
First Regular Session 
SENATE 
7 JIJL -4 Ai0 :1 1 
Senate Bill No. 988 
INTRODUCED BY HON. MANNY VILLAR 
EXPLANATORY NOTE 
Under present laws, workers are entitled to health, safety and social welfare 
benefits (Articles 156-209, Labor Code, as amended; and P.D. 1146, as amended). 
They are also entitled to weekly rest periods (Article 91, Labor Code) to rejuvenate 
them both mentally and physically. 
Under prevailing urban conditions, however, it appears that enjoyment by 
workers and their families of their rest days have been less than pleasurable. Even a 
cursory survey of the urban landscapes reveals that there are no accessible and 
affordable public places or parks where the workers and their families could enjoy 
themselves during their periods of rest and recreation. Under the present conditions, 
workers and their families are constrained to go "malling" in the various metropolitan 
shopping centers whose open areas afford them some breathing spaces. 
as the government's initial response to the demand for such facilities. 
This Bill seeks to establish public recreational parks in the major urban centers 
Passage of this Bill is earnestly recommended. 


FOURTEENTH CONGRESS OF THE 
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES 
First Regular Session 
SENATE 
Senate Bill No. 9&8 
INTRODUCED BY HON. MANNY VILLAR 
AN ACT ESTABLISHING PUBLIC RECREATIONAL PARKS IN MAJOR URBAN 
AREAS, 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. Declaration of Policy. - It is here by declared a policy of the 
government to provide adequate social services, promote social justice and the welfare 
of the workers and their families. 
SEC. 2. Establishment of Public Recreational Parks. - Pursuant to the policy 
enunciated in Section 1 hereof, there is hereby established and maintained at least one 
(1) Public Recreational Park in every major urban center including, but not limited to, 
Metro Manila, Metro Cebu and Metro Davao. Such Public Recreational Park shall 
comprise a picnic area and such other outdoor and indoor sports, health and 
recreational facilities as may be determined by the administering body hereafter 
designated in consultation with the appropriate government agencies, and workers' and 
employers groups. 
SEC. 3. Administering Body. - The President of the Philippines is hereby 
authorized to designate the administering government body to operate and maintain the 
public recreational parks herein established. Such administering body shall make such 


public recreational parks available to the workers and their families and the public at 
large at reasonable cost. 
SEC. 4. Tax Exemptions. - Notwithstanding any provision of law to the contrary, 
the income, properties, gifts, donations and contributions that may be received by the 
administering body for 'the exclusive use and benefit of such public recreational parks 
shall be free from taxes, duties and other assessments. Provided, that such gifls, 
donations and contributions shall likewise be deductible from the taxable income of the 
donor. 
SEC. 5. Funding. - For the effective implementation of this Act, the government 
shall allocate the following funds: 
a. Thirty percent (30%) of the gross earnings of the Philippine Tourism Authority; 
and 
b. Such amounts as may be determined by the respective governing Boards of the 
Overseas Workers Welfare Administration and Employees Compensation Commission. 
SEC. 6. Separability Clause. - If any provision of this Act or the application of 
such provision to., any person r, circumstance is held invalid for any reason, the 
remainder of this Art or the application of such provision to other persons o 
circumstances shall not be affected thereby. 
SEC. 7. Repealing Clause. - All laws, orders, issuance, rules -and regulations or 
parts thereof inconsistent with the provisions of this Act are hereby repealed, amended 
or modified accordingly. 
SEC. 8. Effectivity Clause. - This Act shall t take effect fifleen (15) days afler its 
complete publication in the Official Gazette or in at least two (2) national newspapers of 
general circulation. 
Approved,