Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Quezon City

‘TWENTIETH CONGRESS
First Regular Session

the day of two thousand
and twenty

3238

Begun and held in Metro Manila on

HOUSE BILL NO.

Introduced by Representative Agatha Paula “Agay” A. Cruz

EXPLANATORY NOTE

‘The Municipality of Guiguinto was formerly only a barrio of Bulakan, but it has now
blossomed into a 1* class municipality in the province of Bulacan. Among its many laudable
hallmarks, Guiguinto has built its reputation in the plant industry. Guiguinto has been dubbed
as the “Garden Capital of the Philippines”.

It was in 1999 when the Halamanan Festival was first celebrated to recognize Guiguinto's
patron, St. Ildephonsus (San Ildefonso). Up to today, the Halamanan Festival is celebrated every
January 22nd of each year. Tourists, local and foreign, now look forward to one of the most
colorful parades in the country where the unique and various ornamental plants of Guiguinto are
shown off. The Halamanan Festival is not only a display of the various flora in Guiguinto, but it
is an avenue for the public to become acquainted with the sound agricultural practices of the
ornamental plant growers of Guiguinto such as cutting, marcotting, and grafting.

‘As Guiguinto continues to gain attention for its plant industry, it is important for the
government to support its growth by allowing the ornamental plant growers to fully feel the
results of their hard work and for the public, especially the youth, to extensively appreciate the
beauty and blessings of such industry during this time.

Accordingly, it is proper to declare the Halamanan Festival of the Municipality of
Guiguinto as a major tourist attraction and declare therefor January 22 of every year as a special
non-working holiday in Guiguinto. Such declaration would bring great honor and pride to the
people of Guiguinto and the Province of Bulacan as a whole.


For the constituents of the Municipality of Guiguinto, the passage of this bill is earnestly
sought.

AGATHA PAULA “AG.
Representative, Fifth District of Bulacan


Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Quezon City

TWENTIETH CONGRESS
First Regular Session

HOUSE BILL No. _3238

Introduced by Representative Agatha Paula “Agay” A. Cruz

AN ACT DECLARING THE HALAMANAN FESTIVAL OF THE MUNICIPALITY OF
GUIGUINTO, PROVINCE OF BULACAN A MAJOR TOURIST ATTRACTION, AND
DECLARING FOR THAT PURPOSE JANUARY 22 OF EVERY YEAR A SPECIAL NON-
WORKING HOLIDAY IN THE MUNICIPALITY OF GUIGUINTO AND FOR OTHER
PURPOSES

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 “Guiguinto Halamanan Festival
Act’.

Section 2. Guiguinto Halamanan Festival — The Halamanan Festival of the Municipality of
Guiguinto, Province of Bulacan is hereby declared a major tourist attraction. The Department of
Tourism (DOT) shalll include the Halamanan Festival in its National Tourism Development Plan.

Section 3. Special Non-working Holiday - The Halamanan Festival, which is celebrated
every January 22 of every year, is hereby declared a special non-working holiday in the entire
Municipality of Guiguinto, Province of Bulacan.

Section 4. Tourism Development and Promotion Plan- Within six (6) months from the
approval of this Act, the DOT shall prepare a tourism development and promotion plan for the
Halamanan Festival, in coordination with the with the Tourism Infrastructure and Enterprise
Zone Authority (TIEZA) and other concerned agencies of the government. The said tourism
development and promotion plan shall consist, among others, the construction, installation, and
maintenance of such appropriate facilities and infrastructure that shall encourage tourism in the
area: Provided, that such plan shall promote the environmental and economic underpinnings of
the festival.

Section 5. Coordination with the DOT - The DOT shall take prompt action towards the
implementation of the tourism development and promotion plan under the preceding Section.


The said plan shall form part of the DOT's overall tourism development programs for the
succeeding year following the effectivity of this Act.

Section 6. Implementing Rules and Regulations ~ Within sixty (60) days from the effectivity
of this Act, the Secretary of the DOT shall promulgate the necessary rules and regulations for the
proper implementation of this Act.

Section 6, Funding ~The amounts necessary for the implementation of this Act shall be
sourced from the current appropriations of the DOT and thereafter it shall be included in the
annual General Appropriations Act under the projects of the DOT and whenever necessary,
charged against the internally generated funds of the DOT.

Section 7. Effectivity - This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after its complete
publication in the Official Gazette or in a newspaper of general circulation.

Approved,