Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Quezon City, Metro Manila

Sixteenth Congress

Second Regular Session

Introduced by Honorable Leopoldo N. Bataoil

EXPLANATORY NOTE

‘This bill seeks to construct a Libingan ng mga Bayani in Northern and

Southern Luzon, Visayas and Mindanao.

‘The Republic Memorial Cemetery now known as the Libingan ng mga
Bayani (LNMB) is our only Heroes’ Cemetery located in Fort Bonifacio, Western
Bicutan, Taguig City. It was established in 1947 as a fitting resting place for
Filipino military personnel from private to generals, as well as our heroes and
martyrs. It is a tribute to the gallant Filipino soldiers who fought and died in World
War Il. In 1954, then President Ramon Magsaysay rededicated the cemetery and
renamed it as the Libingan ng mga Bayani, In 1967, Then President Ferdinand
Marcos reserved 142 hectares from the Fort Bonifacio Military Reserve (formerly
known as the Fort Mckinley) in consideration for the LNMB to serve not only as a
cemetery for military personnel but also as a national shrine for fallen heroes.
Presently, LNMB provides grave and interment services not only for military men
who died in line of duty or who were honorably discharged but is also open as a
final resting place for presidents, Filipino veterans, notable government statesmen,

dignitaries and national artists.


Since we only have one Libingan ng mga Bayani, only those military men,
presidents and artists who are residents or live within the Metro Manila area have
the chance of being buried or interred in a place reserved for them. And those who
are from the provinces are denied of the opportunity to be buried in their place of

residence.

With the construction of a Libingan ng mga Bayani in Northern and
Southern Luzon, Visayas and Mindanao, the families of our former presidents,
statesmen, military men and national artists will be given an opportunity to bury

them ina place

In view of the foregoing, passage of this bill is highly recommended.



Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Quezon City, Metro Manila

Sixteenth Congress

Second Regular Session

HOUSE BILL No.97 28

.d by Honorable Leopoldo

AN ACT
PROVIDING FOR THE CONSTRUCTION OF A LIBINGAN NG MGA
BAYANI IN NORTHERN AND SOUTHERN LUZON, VISAYAS AND
MINDANAO AND PROVIDING APPROPRIATIONS THEREOF.

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

Congress assembled:

SECTION 1. Declaration of Policy. ~ It is the policy of the State to give
dignity and perpetuate the memory of all our military men who died during the

performance of their duty as well as those honorably discharged from their duties,

for our Presidents, national heroes and artists who served as an inspiration to all
Filipino citizens of this generation and the generations to come. Towards this end,
there shall be constructed a heroes’ cemetery that will be serve as their exclusive

resting place.

SEC. 2. Construction of Libingan ng mga Bayani, — There is hereby
constructed a Libingan ng mga Bayani in Northern and Southern Luzon, the

Visayas and Mindano.


SEC. 3. Administration. — The administration of the Libingan ng mga
Bayani in the Northern and Southern Luzon, the Visayas and Mindanao shall be

vested exclusively in the Board of Trustees, hereinafter referred to as the Board.

SEC. 4. Board of Trustees: Composition. ~ The Board of Trustees shall

be composed of the following:

(a) Secretary of the National Defense, Chairperson;

(b) Secretary of Education, Vice Chairperson;

(c) Secretary of the Department of Public Works;

(4) Chairman of the Philippine Veterans Affairs Office;

(e) Chairman of the National Commission for Culture and the Art;

(£) Two (2) prominent private citizens to be appointed by the President of

the Republic of the Philippines with the approval of the Commi

Appointments: as members.
The two (2) prominent private citizens shall hold office for a period of

two years,

SE

5. Board Meetings. — The Board of Trustees shall regularly convene
at least every quarter. A majority of the members holding office shall constitute a
quorum. The Chairperson of the Board may call a special meeting whenever
necessary. Members shall be notified in writing at least three (3) days prior to the
meeting.

The members shall serve without compensation but they shall be
reimbursed for necessary expense incurred in the attendance of meetings of the

Board or in connection with their official business as authorized by the Board.

SEC. 6. Powers and Functions. — The Board shall have the

following duties and functions:
(a) To determine the location of a suitable site for a LNMB in
Northern and Southern Lizon, the Visayas and to have such site

acquired, surveyed and fenced for this purpose and to delimit and


set aside a portion there wherein shall be interred the remains of
the Presidents of the Philippines, national artists and another
portion the remains of the heroes, patriots and other great men of
the country will be interred;

(b)To order and supervise the construction thereon of uniform
monuments, mausoleums, or tombs as the Board may deem
appropriate;

(c) To cause to be interred therein the mortal remains of all
Presidents of the Republic of the Philippines, national artists,
national heroes and patriots;

(d) To order and supervise the construction of a suitable road leading
to the LNMB from the nearest national or provincial road; and

(c) To enact policy guidelines, rules and regulations not contrary to

law as may be necessary to carry out the purposes of this Act.

SEC,

Secretary, who shall keep all records and proceedings of the Board, a Treasurer,

7. Secretary, Treasurer and Personnel. — The Board shall appoint a

who shall be audited by the Commission on Audit, and such other personnel as the
Board may deem necessary. All compensation of these personnel shall be fixed

and approved by the Board.

amount of One Billion Pesos (P1,000,000,000) is hereby initially appropriated out

8. Appropriations, - For the proper implementation of this Act, the

of the funds of the National Treasury not otherwise appropriated. Thereafter, such
sum as maybe needed for the continuous operation and maintenance of the

Libingan shall be included in the annual General Appropriations Act.

SEC. 9. Filing of Report. — On or before the end of each fiscal year, the
Board shall file with the Office of President of the Philippines and both Houses of

Congress, a detailed report on the progress, conditions and needs of the LNMB.


SEC. 10. Implementing Rules and Regulations. — Within ninety (90)
days from the effectivity of this Act, the Secretaries of National Defense and
Public Works and Highways in coordination with the Secretary Education and the
Chairman of the National Commission for Culture and the Arts shall issue the

necessary rules and regulations for the effective implementation of this Act.

SEC. 11.

provision of this act is declared to be unconstitutional or invalid, the other sections

Separability Clause. — If, for any reason, any section or

or provisions hereof which are not affected thereby shall constitute to be in full

force and effect.

SEC. 12. Repealing Clause. — All laws, decrees, orders, rules and

regulations, policies, programs or parts thereof that are incor

jistent with any of the

provisions of this Act are hereby repealed, amended or modified accordingly.

13. Effeetivity. - This

publication in the Official Gazette or in a newspaper of general circulation,

act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after its

Approved,