TWENTIETH CONGRESS 
) 
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES ) 
First Regular Session 
) 
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES 
Introduced by Representative Maximo B. Rodriguez, Jr. 
and Representative Rufus B. Rodriguez 
House Bill No. 3343
EXPLANATORY NOTE 
This bill was approved by the House of Representatives during the 19th Congress. 
This bill seeks to declare the Macahambus Cave in Barangay Bayanga, Cagayan de Oro City 
as an ecotourism site. 
Macahambus Cave is one of the most visited tourist destinations in Cagayan de Oro City. It is 
a scenic cave which is located in the tropical Macahambus Forest nature reserve. The cave 
houses a colony of bats and has a path and walkable scenic trails. One end of the cave leads 
to a veranda overlooking the Cagayan de Oro River. The place was the site of the Battle of 
Makahambus Hill, the first of the few battles won by the Filipinos during the Philippine–
American War 
Declaring the Macahambus Cave an ecotourism site will result in the development and 
improvement of the tourist site. It will also help the development of the local community. 
In view of the foregoing, immediate approval of this measure is earnestly requested. 
RUFUS B. RODRIGUEZ 
  MAXIMO B. RODRIGUEZ, JR. 
August 7, 2025
10:12 am


TWENTIETH CONGRESS 
) 
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES ) 
First Regular Session 
) 
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES 
Introduced by Representative Maximo B. Rodriguez, Jr. 
and Representative Rufus B. Rodriguez 
House Bill No.  3343 
AN ACT 
DECLARING MACAHAMBUS CAVE, LOCATED IN BARANGAY BAYANGA, CAGAYAN 
DE ORO CITY, PROVINCE OF MISAMIS ORIENTAL, AN ECOTOURISM SITE 
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the Philippines in Congress 
assembled:  
SECTION 1. The Macahambus Cave located in Barangay Bayanga, Cagayan de Oro 
City, Province of Misamis Oriental, is hereby declared an ecotourism site. Pursuant thereto, 
its development shall be prioritized and supported by the Department of Tourism (DOT), 
subject to the rules and regulations governing the development of ecotourism sites.  
SEC. 2.  Within one hundred twenty (120) days after the approval of this Act, the local 
government of Cagayan de Oro City shall, in coordination with the DOT, Department of 
Environment and Natural Resources and  concerned agencies of the government, prepare a 
tourism development plan that shall include the construction, installation and maintenance of 
such appropriate infrastructure and facilities  to enhance tourism in the area: Provided, That 
said  development plan  shall ensure the preservation and conservation of the natural beauty 
and resources of the area: Provided further, That the implementation of the tourism 
development plan shall be included in the budget of the local government of Cagayan de Oro 
City. 
SEC. 3.   The DOT shall assist the local government of Cagayan de Oro City in the 
implementation of the tourism development plan by providing technical assistance in tourism 
capacity building. It shall also include the Macahambus Cave in its national and regional 
promotion programs.    
SEC. 4. The funding for the implementation of this Act shall be included in the annual 
budget of the local government of Cagayan de Oro City. The DOT may augment such 
allocation with internally-generated funds. 
SEC. 5.  Within sixty (60) days from the effectivity of this Act, the local government of 
Cagayan de Oro City shall, in consultation with the DOT and concerned agencies of the 
government, promulgate rules and regulations to implement this Act.  
SEC. 6.  If any provision of this Act shall be declared unconstitutional or invalid, the 
other provisions not affected thereby shall remain in full force and effect.   
SEC. 7. All laws, rules, regulations, executive orders, proclamations, presidential 
decrees and other issuances inconsistent with any of the provisions of this Act are hereby 
deemed repealed or amended accordingly. 
SEC. 8. This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after its publication in the Official 
Gazette or in a newspaper of general circulation.  
Approved,