Republic of the Philippines a

CA
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES So
Quezon City, Metro Manila a
Eighteenth Congress 3
Second Regular Session
House Bill No. 7699

Introduced by Honorable Dahlia A. Loyola

EXPLANATORY NOTE

Our Lady of Candelaria Parish Church or Nuestra Sefiora De Candelaria, located in
the Municipality of Silang, Province of Cavite, was first established on February 3, 1595 under
the patronage of St. Diego of Alcald. It was then dedicated to Our Nuestra Sefiora de
Candelaria in 1640 based on the tale told by Fray Murillo Verlarde, where the image of the
Virgin Mary was found by Andres in the mountains of Silang.

The parish is considered as the oldest standing structure of colonial baroque
architecture in the Province of Cavite. Due to its association with pre-historic events, the
historic marker was given in 2008 by the National Historical Commission of the Philippines,
the National Historical Commission of the Philippines the church complex and its altarpiece,
known as retablos, were declared as National Cultural Treasure by the National Museum in
2017. The declaration adds to the historic marker given in 2008 by the National Historical
Commission of the Philippines and the pilgrim church marker from the Diocese of Imus, Cavite
given in 2012.

The church’ historical significance; and the architectural beauty of the complex and the
retablos entice visitors from other parts of the Philippines and other countries as well. Moreso,
the narrations of the Our Nuestra Sefiora De Candelaria’s indulgence and miracles to its
patrons and devotees have been widespread. As such, more Marian devotees and tourists
are visiting to witness the glory it brings to its believers. Thus, the parish needs to adopt
policies and measures to protect its historical importance while ensuring its accessibility and
security to pilgrims.

Hence, in celebration of the parish’ 425" year this 2020, this bill seeks to declare the
Our Lady of Candelaria Parish Church in the Municipality of Silang, Province of Cavite as a
pilgrimage site and tourist destination mandating the Department of Tourism and its attached
agencies, in coordination with the Department of Public Works and Highways and in
consultation with the local government unit of Silang, Cavite, to come up with a comprehensive
development plan for the improvement of Silang Church, all areas attached to it, and all roads

leading to and from it.
DR. Wee LOYOLA

Representative
Fifth District of Cavite


NEBR Peep
SOBUARADNESearvdsHAWNE

NNN
SSS

ney
aos

RN
as

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

Eighteenth Congress
Second Regular Session

House Bill No.__7699

Introduced by Honorable Dahlia A. Loyola

AN ACT
DECLARING OUR LADY OF CANDELARIA PARISH CHURCH IN THE MUNICIPALITY
OF SILANG, PROVINCE OF CAVITE A PILGRIMAGE SITE AND A TOURIST
DESTINATION, PROVIDING FOR ITS DEVELOPMENT AND APPROPRIATING FUNDS
THEREOF

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

SECTION 1. Our Lady of Candelaria Parish Church located in the Municipality of
Silang, Province of Cavite, is hereby declared a pilgrimage site and a tourist destination. As
such, its development shall be prioritized by the Department of Tourism (DOT) and other
concerned agencies, subject to the rules and regulations governing the development sites and
tourist destinations.

Sec. 2. Within one (1) year after the approval of this Act, the DOT, in coordination with
the Department of Works and Highways (DPWH) and other concerned agencies of the
government shall prepare a tourism development plan involving the construction, installation
and maintenance of such appropriate facilities and infrastructure that shall improve the over-
all features of the area, thereby ensuring the accessibility and security of the pilgrims and
tourists; Provided, that the said development plan shall ensure the preservation and
conservation of the historical significance of the area.

Sec. 3. The DOT and its concemed agencies shall take immediate steps to formulate
and implement the appropriate tourism development plan for Our Lady of Candelaria Parish
Church and shall incorporate the same in the National Tourism Development Plan.

Sec. 4. The Secretary of the DOT shall include in the Department's program the
implementation of this Act, the funding of which shall be included in the Annual General
Appropriations Act and internally generated funds of the DOT.

Sec. 5. Within sixty (60) days from the effectivity of this Act, the DOT, in coordination
with the local government of Silang, Cavite, shall issue rules and regulations for the proper
implementation of this Act.

Sec. 6. This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after its complete publication in the
Official Gazette or in at least two (2) newspapers of general circulation.

Approved,