Republic of the Philippines 
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES 
Quezon City 
NINETEENTH CONGRESS 
First Regular Session 
HOUSE BILL NO. ___________ 
Introduced by Representative Ambrosio “Boy” C. Cruz, Jr. 
EXPLANATORY NOTE 
From stunning white sand beaches to sky-high mountains, the Philippines is a sight to 
behold and thus, it consistently attracts domestic and international tourists. However, the 
COVID-19 pandemic has put the dynamic progress of Philippine tourism to a halt.  
In a study made by the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP)1, the tourism sector is among 
those badly hit by the COVID-19 pandemic due to the closing of Philippine Borders. 
According to BSP, both the country’s international tourist arrivals and tourism receipts fell by 
about 80% in 2020 and by about 90% in 2021.  
Nevertheless, the same study posits an optimistic view regarding the future of the 
country’s tourism sector. It is projected that by 2022, travel receipts will post a robust recovery 
reaching twice its level in 2021. The Department of Tourism foresees that foreign tourists will 
reach between 2 million and 5 million in 2022.  
Truly, borders are now easing up. People can now travel with less restrictions than 
they did in 2020 and 2021. With this, there is a need to reboot and maximize the Philippines’ 
tourism potential. One of the steps to achieve this goal is to explore more tourist spots other  
than the usual go-to destinations.  
In this regard, The Garden at Ciudad de Victoria certainly fits the bill. Located in the 
Municipality of Bocaue, Bulacan, The Garden offers various attractions such as the 
Orchidarium, Japanese Garden, and Flower Glass Dome, Animal Land, Candy Land Café, 
and Embrace Café, among others. With manicured lawns, perfectly curated species of plants 
and flowers, well-thought-out attractions, The Garden is the perfect place for rest and 
relaxation.  
As more people discover The Garden, it is important for the local and national 
government to undertake measures to promote it while still preserving its beauty. The 
1 https://www.bsp.gov.ph/Media_And_Research/Publications/EN22-02.pdf 
August 30, 2022
1:58 pm
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declaration of The Garden as a tourist destination can guarantee this. 
 
Verily, the declaration of The Garden as a tourist destination will ensure its further 
development and preservation. If properly managed,  The Garden will be able to welcome 
more tourists, which, in return, can result in exceptional economic benefits through 
investments and employment opportunities for the locals in the area.   
 
Indeed, with the DOT’s assistance and supervision, The Garden can be a great addition 
to the roster of top tourist destinations in the country. 
 
Considering the foregoing, the immediate approval of this proposed measure is 
earnestly sought. 
 
 
 
 
 
 
     AMBROSIO “BOY” C. CRUZ, JR. 
Representative, Fifth District of Bulacan 
 
 
 


Republic of the Philippines 
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES 
Quezon City 
NINETEENTH CONGRESS 
First Regular Session 
HOUSE BILL NO. ___________ 
Introduced by Representative Ambrosio “Boy” C. Cruz, Jr. 
AN ACT DECLARING THE GARDEN, CIUDAD DE VICTORIA LOCATED IN THE 
MUNICIPALITY OF BOCAUE, BULACAN AS A TOURIST DESTINATION AND 
APPROPRIATING FUNDS THEREFOR 
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 “The Garden Tourist 
Destination Act.” 
Section 2. Scope and Coverage –  The Garden, located in the Municipality of Bocaue, 
Bulacan is hereby declared a tourist destination. In view thereof, the development of The 
Garden shall be prioritized by the Department of Tourism (DOT), in coordination with the 
Municipality of Bocaue and other related agencies, subject to the rules and regulations 
governing the development of tourism destinations.  
Section 3. Tourism Development Plan of The Garden – Within six (6) months after the 
approval of this act, the DOT in coordination with the Tourism Infrastructure and Enterprise 
Zone Authority (TIEZA) and other concerned agencies of the government shall prepare a 
tourism development plan. The said tourism development 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 said tourism 
development plan shall ensure the preservation and conservation of The Garden. 
Section 4 Implementation – The DOT, in coordination with TIEZA and other 
concerned agencies shall promulgate the necessary rules and regulations for the proper 
implementation of this Act.   
Section 5. Appropriations and funding. – The Secretary of the DOT in the 
Department’s program the implementation of this act, the funding of which shall be included 
in the annual General Appropriations Act and from internally generated funds of the DOT.  
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Section 6. Separability clause. - If any provision of this Act shall be declared invalid 
or unconstitutional, such declaration shall not affect the validity of the remaining provisions 
of this Act.  
Section 7. Repealing clause. - All provisions of laws, presidential decrees, letters of 
instruction and other presidential issuances which are incompatible or inconsistent with the 
provisions of this Act are hereby deemed amended or repealed.  
Section 8. Effectivity. - This Act shall take effect within fifteen (15) days following its 
publication in the Official Gazette or in at least two (2) national newspapers of general 
circulation.  
Approved,