NINETEENTH CONGRESS
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES
Firsf Regular Session
)
)
)
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
lntroduced by Representative Rufus B. Rodriguez
House Bill No.
EXPLANATORY NOTE
This billwas fil6d during the 17sand 18rh Congresses and was approved by the House
of Representatives.
The Dracontomelon dao lree or the Dao tree as it is known in the country is a tropical
canopy tree that could grow as high as 45 metres or 148 feet. lt has a greyish-brown trunk
which is branchless up to about 20 m (66 ft) and has narrow buttresses which can reach up
its trunk up to 6 m (20 ft) high. This tree is native to the riverine and limestone forests of
Cambodla, China, lndia, lndonesia, Malaysia, Myanmar, Papua New Guinea, Philippines,
Solomon lslands, and Thailand.
ln the Philippines, one of the biggest and oldest Dao tree can be found in Cagayan de
Oro City, particularly within a pocket secondary forest in the lntegrated Forest Management
Agreement (IFMA) area of the E. Pelaez Ranch in Bayombong, Barangay Cugman- At
present, this Dao tree in 49 meters high and has a diameter ot 222.8 centimetres. lt is
estimated to be more than 200 years old-
It is imperative that the tree be declared the heritage tree of Cagayan de Oro City in
order to ensure its long term protection. lt can also be an additional tourist attraction for the
city.
ln view of the foregoing, immediate passage of this bill is earnestly sought.
RUF SB.R
UEZ
July 1, 2022
6:13 pm
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NINETEENTHCONGRESS )
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES )
Firsl Regurar Sess,bn 
)
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
lntroduced by Representative Rufus B. Rodrisuez
House Bill No.
AN ACT
DISTINGUISHING THE DAO TREE LOCATED WTHIN A SECONDARY FOREST IN THE
INTEGRATED FOREST MANAGEMENT AGREEMENT (IFttIA) AREA OF THE E. PELAEZ
RANCH IN BAYOIIBO}IG, BARANGAY CUGUAN, CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY AS THE
CAGAYAN DE ORO HERITAGE TREE, DECLARING IT A TOURIST ATTRACTION, AND
APPROPRIATING FUNDS THEREFOR
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the Philippines in Congress
assembled:
SECTION 1. The Dao Tree, located within a pocket secondary forest in the lntegrated
Forest Management Agreement (IFMA) area ofthe E. Pelaez Ranch in Bayombong, Barangay
Cugman, Cagayan de Oro City, and which is estimated to be two hundred (200) years old, is
hereby declared the "Cagayan de Oro Heritage Tree" and a tourist attraction.
SEC 2. Wthin one (1) year after the approval of this Act, the Department of Tourism
(DOT), in coordination with the Department of Environmenl and Natural Resources (DENR),
the Cagayan de Oro City Cultural Heritage Conservation Council, the Tourism lnfrastructure
and Enterprise Zone Authority and other concerned agencieg of the govemment, shall prepare
a tourism development plan involving the promotion of the Cagayan de Oro Heritage Tree and
its immediate environs as a tourist attraction, construc'tion, installation and maintenance of
such appropriate facilities and infrastructure which shall enhance tourism in the area, and the
strategies and activities to be undertaken to ensure the protection and preservation ofthe tree.
SEC. 3. The DOT shall take immediate steps to implement the tourism development plan
and incorporate the same in its tourism development program for the ensuing calendar year.
SEC. 4. The Secretary of the DOT shall include in the Department's program the
implementation of this Act, the funding of which shall be included in the annual General
Appropriations Act and shall augment such allocation with internally generated funds of the
Department.
SEC. 5. \Mthin si*y (60) days from the effectivity of this Act, the Secretary of the DOT
shall promulgate the necessary rules and regulations for its proper implementation.
SEC. 6. This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after its publication in lhe Official
Gazefte or in a newspaper of general circulation.
Approved,
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