FOURTEENTH CONGRESS OF THE REPUBLIC) 
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OF THE PHILIPPINES 
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First Regular Session 
S E N A T E  
S.B. NO. a 2 0  
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Introduced by Senate President Manny Villar 
EXPLANATORY NOTE 
Hyde Park in London, a royal park and once a hunting ground for Henry 
VI11 is now best known for its famous Speakers’ Corner where people speak 
their minds. Central Park in New York City is the most frequently visited 
urban park 
and its appearance in many movies and 
television shows has made it famous. A model for urban parks worldwide, the 
Central Park, has been restored, managed and preserved by the Central Park 
Conservancy, a private non-profit organization, in partnership with the city 
government. 
in the United States 
The Philippines has Rizal Park which is popularly known as the place 
where our national hero, Jose Rizal, was executed. His death ushered in the 
Philippine Republic, Asia’s first democracy and his mortal remains as a symbol 
of Filipino nationhood. Through the years it has become the venue for the 
celebration of our independence day and the place where the public go on 
weekends for fresh air, leisurely walks and picnics with family and friends. 
However, despite its attraction to ordinary folks and tourists because of its 
historical and political significance, its drawing power has significantly declined 
due to the deterioration of its facilities, amenities and environs. 
In its effort to develop Rizal Park, the government had issued several 
Executive Orders in the past for its development, to wit: E.O. No. 30, January 
14, 1963, created the Executive Committee for the development of Rizal Park, 
among other parks; E.O. No, 69, February 7, 1964, designated the Committee 
as the “National Parks Development Committee”; E.O. No. 120-A, 
January 30, 
1987, directed the Committee to be attached to the then Ministry of Tourism 
and E.O. No. 160, October 13, 1999, reorganized and designated the members 
of the Committee. 
Rizal Park is among several parks in the metropolis being managed and 
operated by the government through the National Parks Development 
Committee (NPDC). It is responsible for their’ beautification, preservation and 
maintenance. Even with the private sector efforts to redeem its glory days and 
maximize its potential as tourist destination, all efforts failed to serve the 
purpose due to various recurring problems, among which are vagrancy, illegal 
vendors and lack of security personnel 
This bill, therefore, seeks to fully revitalize Rizal Park to attain 
international standards by strengthening the powers and functions of the 
National Parks Development Committee (NPDC) and appropriating funds for 
the purpose. The Department of Tourism (DOT) shall direct the NPDC to 
prioritize the development of Rizal Park and shall declare the Rizal Park 


Development Program as part of the department’s medium-term infrastructure 
program. 
The private sector, especially business enterprises operating in Metro 
Manila shall likewise actively participate in the development program,project 
and activities to be undertaken by the DOT through the NPDC. 
In 
view of the foregoing, the immediate passage of this bill is 
Senator 
respectfully recommended. 


FOURTEENTH CONGRESS OF THE REPUBLIC) 
OF THE PHILIPPINES 
1 
First Regular Session 
1 
S E N A T E  
- 
Introduced by Senate President Manny Villar 
AN ACT 
BY STRENGTHENING THE POWERS AND FUNCTIONS OF THE NATIONAL 
PARKS DEVELOPMENT COMMITTEE (NPDC), APPROPRIATING FUNDS 
THEREFOR AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES 
TO FULLY DEVELOP RIZAL PARK, MANILA INTO A WORLD-CLASS PARK 
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the 
Philippines in Congress assembled 
SECTION 1. Short Title. - This Act shall be known as the “Rizal Park 
Development Act of 2008”. 
SEC. 2. Statement of Policy. - It is hereby decIared the policy of the 
State to foster and preserve the country’s national and cultural heritage and 
provide wholesome recreation and socio-cultural education to the people. 
Towards this end, the government shall exert efforts for the development of 
Rizal Park in Manila into a world-class park by strengthening the powers and 
functions of the National Parks Development Committee (NPDC) and declaring 
the Rizal Park Development Program as part of the infrastructure project of the 
Department of Tourism (DOT). 
SEC. 3. 
Rizal Park Development Program. - The Department of 
Tourism (DOT), through the National Parks Development Committee (NPDC), is 
hereby mandated to prioritize the development of Rizal Park and shall declare 
thc same as part of its infrastructure program 
SEC. 4. Additional Powers and Functions of the NPDC. - In addition 
to the powers and functions assigned to it by Executive Order Nos. 69, 
February 7, 1987 and 120-A, January 20, 1987, the NPDC shall: 


1. Identify and prioritize areas of concern for the development of Rizal 
Park; 
2. Formulate a development Master Plan and submit the same for 
approval by the Department of Tourism; 
3. Establish mechanisms for the sustainable financing in the 
rehabilitation and maintenance of Rizal Park; 
4. Ensure the effective and timely implementation of the development 
plans, programs and activities of Rizal Park; 
5. Initiate action and mobilize the concerned agencies of the government 
involved in the development plan, including the business enterprises 
operating in Metro Manila; 
6. Formulate and submit a planned regular annual maintenance 
program of Rizal Park; 
7. Mobilize the presentation of 
quality educational and cultural 
presentation for all ages; 
8. For the effective implementation of the provisions of this Act, the 
NPDC may call on any head of departments, agencies, bureaus, or 
offices to provide assistance and cooperation for the implementation 
of the Rizal Park Development Program; 
9. Accept donations, contributions, grants, gifts from various sources, 
domestic or foreign, for purposes relevant to the development of Rizal 
Park, upon approval of the President of the Philippines; and 
10. Submit quarterly reports to the Department of Tourism (DOT) on the 
status of the Development Plan. 
SEC. 5. Rizal Park Development Master Plan. - The NPDC, shall 
formulate a Rizal Park Development Master Plan which shall detail the various 
plans and programs to be implemented with specified target dates of 
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accomplishment and submit the same for approval by the Department of 
Tourism. 
SEC. 6. 
Private Sector Participation. - The NPDC, in coordination 
with the Department of Tourism, shall establish the necessary mechanisms for 
the participation of the private sector and business enterprises operating 
within Metro Manila in the programs, 
projects and activities for the 
development of Rizal Park. 
SEC. 7. Annual Report. - The NPDC shall submit an annual report to 
Congress on the status of the implementation of the Rizal Park Development 
Project and the donations, contributions, grants, gifts received from various 
sources not later than January 31 of every calendar year following the approval 
of this Act. 
SEC. 8. Appropriations. - The amount of Fifty 1VIillion Pesos (P50-M) 
shall be appropriated for the effective implementation of the Master Plan for the 
development of Rizal Park, and the expenses for its maintenance shall be 
included and incorporated in the annual general appropriations of the NPDC 
and the Department of Tourism. 
SEC. 9. 
Implementing Rules and Regulations. - The NPDC, in 
coordination with the Department of Tourism (DOT)), shall issue and 
promulgate the necessary implementing rules and regulations for the efficient 
and effective implementation of this Act within thirty (30) days upon its 
approval. 
SEC. 10. 
Repealing Clause. - All laws, rules and regulations or parts 
thercof, inconsistent with the provisions of this Act are hereby repealed or 
modified accordingly. 
SEC. 11. Separability Clause. - If any part, section or provision of this 
unconstitutional, no other part, section or 
Act shall be held invalid or 
provisions thereof shall be affected thereby. 
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SEC. 12. Effectivity. - This Act shall take effect after fifteen (15) days 
(2) newspapers of general 
following its complete publication in at least two 
circulation. 
Approved, 
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