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

TWENTIETH CONGRESS
First Regular Session

2485

HOUSE BILL NO.

Introduced by Representative Roy M. Gonzales

EXPLANATORY NOTE

The 1987 Philippine Constitution unequivocally affirms that “xxx...The
State shall conserve, promote, and popularize the nation's cultural and historical
heritage and resources, as well as artistic creations.” (Article XIV, Section 15) No
less than the State itself is duty-bound to preserve and develop the country’s
heritage, resources, and creations. In conformity with Republic Act No. 10066, or
also known as the “National Cultural Heritage Act of 2009,” it conveys the
constitutional mandate as provided by conserving cultural property which must
strictly adhere to the accepted international standards of conservation.

The Cuartel de Santo Domingo, also popularly known as Fort Santo
Domingo, is situated at Barangay Santo Domingo, City of Santa Rosa, Laguna.
The Cuartel was built with walls made of adobe stones in 1877 across an
8.2-hectare stretch of land. It was named after St. Dominic, who was the founder
of the Dominic order and owner of the haciendas around Santa Rosa, Birian, and
Calamba. During the Philippine Revolution, it served as headquarters led by
Gen. Jose Lachambre, a Spanish governor-general, against the army of Gen.
Emilio Aguinaldo from Cavite. At the time of Japanese occupation, it became a
refuge for women from Cabuyao and Calamba to protect them from abuses of
the Imperial Japanese Army, and consequently, it transitioned into a commerce
center. It significantly served as a detention center for high-profile detainees in
recent years. The National Historical Commission of the Philippines recognized
the Cuartel as a National Historical Landmark on July 21, 2005. Subsequently, the
National Museum declared the Cuartel an important cultural property on
January 14, 2019.


Cuartel is one of the existing Spanish colonial military architectures in the
Philippines. Beyond its overall physical form, the structure holds deep cultural
resonance as a witness to historical events in the evolution of the Philippine
government and formidable institutions.

This bill endeavors to declare the Cuartel de Santo Domingo as a heritage
site, The declaration is a recourse to preserve and develop the structure's
historical and cultural significance in the city and country. By its passage, the
State will not only echo its commitment to safeguard the nation’s heritage but
also recognize the structures of Cuartel de Santo Domingo as critical components
of the nation’s identity and commonly shared history.

In view of the foregoing, the immediate passage of this proposed measure
is earnestly sought.



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

‘TWENTIETH CONGRESS
First Regular Session

2485

HOUSE BILL NO.

Introduced by Representative Roy M. Gonzales

AN ACT
DECLARING CUARTEL DE SANTO DOMINGO IN THE CITY OF SANTA
ROSA, LAGUNA, AS A HERITAGE SITE, PROVIDING FOR ITS
PRESERVATION AND DEVELOPMENT, AND APPROPRIATING FUNDS
THEREFOR

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

SECTION 1. Cuartel de Santo Domingo as a Heritage Site, - The Cuartel de
Santo Domingo, also commonly known as Fort Santo Domingo, located in the
City of Santa Rosa, Laguna, is hereby declared a heritage site. The preservation
and development of Cuartel de Santo Domingo shall be prioritized and
supported by the Department of Tourism (DOT), in coordination with the
National Historical Commission of the Philippines (NHCP), the City of Santa
Rosa, and relevant agencies of the government, subject to the rules and
regulations governing the development of heritage sites.

SECTION 2. Tourism Development Plan. - Within one (1) year upon the
effectivity of this Act, the City of Santa Rosa shall, in accordance with the DOT,
NHCP, DPWH, and relevant agencies of the government, prepare a tourism
development plan that shall include the construction, installation, and
maintenance of the facilities and infrastructure of the Cuartel de Santo Domingo,
thereby ensuring its accessibility and the security of tourists: Provided, That such
development plan shall ensure the preservation of the historical significance of
Cuartel de Santo Domingo: Provided, further, That the implementation of the
tourism development plan shall be included in the budget of the City of Santa
Rosa.



SECTION 3. Role of DOT. - The DOT shall assist the City of Santa Rosa in the
implementation of the tourist development plan by providing technical
assistance in tourism capacity building. It shall also include the Cuartel de Santo
Domingo in all its national and regional promotion programs and projects.

SECTION 4. Appropriations. - The funding for the implementation of this Act
shall be included in the annual budget of the City of Santa Rosa. The DOT may
augment such allocation with internally generated funds.

SECTION 5. Implementing Rules and Regulations. - Within sixty (60) days from
the effectivity of this Act, the City of Santa Rosa, in consultation with the DOT
and relevant agencies of the government, promulgates rules and regulations to
implement this Act.

SECTION 6. Separability Clause. - If any provision or part of this Act is declared
unconstitutional, the remaining parts or provisions not affected shall remain in
full force and effect.

SECTION 7. Repealing Clause. - All laws, executive orders, issuances, and rules
and regulations inconsistent with this Act are hereby repealed or modified
accordingly.

SECTION 8. Effectivity. - This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after its
publication in the Official Gazette or in a newspaper of general circulation.

Approved,