Republic of the Philippines
House of Representatives
Quevon City

EIGHTEENTH CONGRESS
First Regular Session

HOUSE BILLNO.___ 9222

Introduced by Representative EDGAR R. ERICE

EXPLANATORY NOTE

In year 1765, the San Roque Parish was only a small chapel located in Sitio
de Espinas (now Libis) in the district of Kalookan, Province of Tondo. It was built by
Fray Manuel Vaquero, an assistant priest from the Parish of Tondo, with the help of
the people living in the area. When the construction of the chapel was finished, Fray
Vaquero donated the images of San Roque and Nuestra Sefiora de la Nieva from
Talaver, Espafia. Over the years, the number of worshippers in San Roque chapel
had grown significantly which prompted the then Archbishop] of Manila, Antonio de
Zulaivar, to separate it from the auspices of Tondo Parish and named Fray Manuel
‘San Miguel as its first Parochial Priest.

In 1819, the San Roque Parish was transferred to a new site called the Paltok
oF literally the uppermost part of Caloocan (the same site where the San Roque
Parish now stands). Fray San Francisco Xavier, Fray San Miguel's successor, began
building a new parish but it was only finished in 1847 under the leadership of Fray
Cipriano Gerola.

Through the years, when the Filipino people could fo longer endure the
tyranny of the Spaniards who ruled the Philippines with an iron fist, the spirit of
rebellion spread throughout the country and the San Roque Parish’ was a living
witness to the bravery and heroism of the many Katipuneros in Balintawak who rose

and cried for freedom. |

|

In 1899, the San Roque Parish was used by General Antonio Luna as one of
his staging camps in fighting the American soldiers during the Filipino-American war.
The Parish was partially destroyed when the American soldiers overran the forces of
Gen. Luna while the entire Parish's ground was utilized as a temporary hospital for
the injured members of the invading force. Subsequently, when the American forces
led by the General Arthur McArthur occupied Caloocan, the San Roque Parish was
converted into a regiment camp with Colonel Frederick Funston of the 20" Kansas
Regiment as its commander

After the war, the Confraternity of the Sacred Heart of Jesus led by Father
Victor Raymundo started the reconstruction and renovation of the San Roque Parish
which was continued by the succeeding priests until 1965. This piecemeal repair,
however, proved to be insufficient to prevent the deterioration and inevitable collapse


of the Parish had it not been for the efforts of the constituents of the City of Caloocan
and, the strong determination and conviction of the Parochial Priest - Monsignor
Boanerges Lechuga to rebuild the same

In view of the foregoing, it is only fitting that the San Roque Parish be
acknowledged as a national landmark and shrine for history, freedom and
independence. The passage of this bill, therefore, is earnestly sought.

Representative
District, Caloocan City


Bepublic of the Philippines -
Hause af Roper fitves
Queeon City

EIGHTEENTH CONGRESS
First Regular Session

House BitLNo.__ 3222 _

Introduced by Representative EDGAR R. ERICE

AN ACT
DECLARING SAN ROQUE PARISH IN CALOOCAN CITY AS A NATIONAL
LANDMARK AND SHRINE FOR HISTORY, FREEDOM AND INDEPENDENCE,
CALLING FOR ITS PRESERVATION AND IMPROVEMENT, PROVIDING FUNDS.
THEREFOR, AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES.

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

SECTION 1. Statement of Policy. - It is hereby declared to be the policy of
the State to preserve historical sites, monuments and other relics that represent the
Filipino heritage and culture and should therefore be under the protection of the
State.

SEC. 2. Declaration as National Landmark and Shrine. ~ Consistent with the
Constitutional mandate to preserve, promote and popularize the nation’s historical
heritage, the San Roque Parish of Caloocan City, an edifice constructed in 1765
A.D. which witnessed our nation's struggle to attain its precious freedom, is hereby
declared a national landmark and shrine for history, freedom and independence to
underscore the immense contribution of the Christian faith to the enrichment and
vibrancy of our modern civilization.

SEC. 3. Power of the National Historical Commission of the Philippines. - For
this purpose, the National Historical Commission of the Philippines (NHCP) shall
exercise supervision over the preservation of the aforesaid site and shall issue the
necessary rules and regulations to effectuate the preceding sections of this Act.

SEC. 4. Appropriations. - The Chairman of the NHCP shall immediately
include in the Commission's program the operationalization of the San Roque Parish
as a national landmark and shrine for history, freedom and independence, the
funding of which shall be included in the annual General Appropriations Act.

SEC. §. Fund-raising Program. — In order to afford the people an opportunity
to participate in financing the preservation, reconstruction and/dr rehabilitation of the
shrine, the NHCP is hereby authorized to organize and undettake a national fund
campaign for the purpose of raising funds from private sources.


SEC. 6. Effectivity. - This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after its
complete publication in at least two (2) newspapers of general circulation.

Approved,