Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Quezon City

SIXTEENTH CONGRESS - -
Third Regular Session

House Bill No. 6118

Introduced by HONORABLE SCOTT DAVIES S. LANETE, M.D.

EXPLANATORY NOTE

In the past years, the humble Municipality of Placer, Province of Masbate has been making
waves in the conduct of festivals. Represented by a group of locals volunteers, ranging in age
from the young to the young at heart, Placer’s Tribu Himag-ulaw has been consistently and
successfully reaping awards in street-dancing competitions held in various locations within
Bicol Region.

Apart from providing year-round entertainment to both locals and tourists in Placer, Tribu
Himag-Ulaw was declared as Champion in the street-dancing competition of this year’s
Magayon Festival held in the province of Albay.

In fact, Tribu Himag-Ulaw’s dominance in street-dancing competitions has gone outside
Bicol Region. In the past three years, it gamered awards no less than first place finishes in the
famous Sinulog Festival of Cebu. Most notably, in 2015 Sinulog Festival, Placer’s Tribu
Himag-Ulaw was awarded 1" runner up in the free interpretation category and champions for
consecutive years in the Sinulog-based category.

Placer’s Tribu Himag-Ulaw is more than a group of individuals who aims for success. More
importantly, it is a group of festival-loving and cheerful people who want to share their
passion for street-dancing and festivals to the rest of the Philippines

In this regard, Placer’s Tribu Himag-Ulaw deserved attention and support from the National
government. There is an essential need for the preservation and constant improvement of the
group

This bill seeks to declare the Municipality of Placer as the Festival Capital of Bicolandia. It
also seeks to institutionalize Placer’s Tribu Himag-Ulaw by establishing the Placer Festival
Office. By doing so, Tribu Himag-Ulaw’s potential will be tapped so that the rest of the
country may enjoy the beauty this group brings

Hence, the passage of this bill is urgently sought.

SCOTT DAVIES S. LANETE, M.D.
>presentative
Third District, Province of Masbate


Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Quezon City

SIXTEENTH CONGRESS
Third Regular Session

House Bill No. 6118

Introduced by HONORABLE SCOTT DAVIES S. LANETE, M.D.

AN ACT DECLARING THE MUNICIPALITY OF PLACER, PROVINCE OF
MASBATE AS THE FESTIVAL CAPITAL OF BICOLANDIA, ESTABLISHING
THE PLACER FESTIVAL COUNCIL, PROVIDING FUNDS THEREFOR, AND FOR
OTHER PURPOSES

Be i enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the Philippines in Congres
assembled.

Sec. 1. Short Title. This Act shall be known as “An Act Declaring the Municipality of Placer
as the Festival Capital of Bicolandia.”

Sec. 2. Declaration of Policy. It is hereby declared the policy of the State to promote a
sustainable tourism industry. Towards this end, the country shall rationalize all efforts
pertaining specifically to the development and promotion of street-dancing festivals and
making the industry a major source of livelihood and an avenue for the generation of
employment

Sec. 3. Festival Capital of the Philippines. In accordance with the foregoing declared policy,
the Municipality of Placer, Province of Masbate is hereby declared as the Festival Capital of
Bicolandia.

Sec 4. Creation of a Festival Council, There is hereby created a Festival Council whose
governing board shall be co-chaired by the representative of the 3“ Legislative District of
Mabsate, Local Chief Executive of the Municipality of Placer and the Governor of Masbate.

‘The membership of the board shall be composed of representatives from Department of
‘Tourism, the private sector, mass media and a non-governmental organization.

Placer’s local legislative body shall appoint the members of the Council for a term of five (5)
years, renewable for one term.

Sec. 5. Functions and Responsibilities of the Council. The Council shall be responsible for
the following

4. Study, adopt, and from time to time update a Festival plan and supervise the
implementation of the corresponding programs and activities therein:

b. Assess and evaluate the potential impact of holding festivals to the well-being
of Masbatefios;


¢. Conduct consultations with the local residents of Masbate and assimilate their
cultural values and beliefs in the master plan and other programs;

d. Provide technical and financial assistance to Tribu Himag-ulaw and other
‘groups with similar nature;

e Formulate rules and regulations which shall promote Tribu Himag-ulaw,
other related groups, street-dancing festivals and related activities:

/f- Perform such other functions as may be necessary to carry out the objectives
of this Act

Sec. 6. Festival Fund, To carry out the purposes of this Act, there shall be created a special
fund called the Placer Festival Fund, which shall be sourced from the General Appropriations
Act of this year.

Sec. 7. Separability Clause. — If any part or provision of this Act shall be held
unconstitutional or invalid, other provisions, which are not affected thereby, shall continue to
be in full force and effect

See. 8. Repealing Clause. ~ All laws, issuances or parts thereof inconsistent with this Act are
hereby repealed or modified accordingly

Sec. 9. Effectivity. ~ This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after its publication in the
Official Gazette or in at least two (2) newspapers of general circulation.

Approved.