Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES.
Quezon City

NINETEENTH CONGRESS
First Regular Session

House BILt No. 7161

INTRODUCED BY HON. DANILO A. DOMINGO

EXPLANATORY NOTE

With the developments in the Municipality of Bulakan, especially with the creation of
the airport therein, the historical and cultural heritage of the municipality is threatened with
deterioration and destruction. The State should therefore endeavor to create a balanced
atmosphere where the historic past coexists in harmony with modem society.

Sections 15 and 16, Article XIV of the 1987 Constitution mandates the State to
conserve, promote, and popularize the nation's historical and cultural heritage and
resources, as well as artistic creations. It further provides that all the country's artistic and
historic wealth constitutes the cultural treasure of the nation and shall be under the
protection of the State, which may regulate its disposition.

As the pandemic subsides, authorities such as the Department of Tourism (DOT) and
even the World Tourism and Travel Council (WTTC) highlighted the upward trajectory of the
tourism industry in the country. The DOT has committed to aiding the revival of Bulacan's
tourism in culinary, farm, and ecological tourism. However, there is still more room to grow
in terms of cultural tourism not only in preserving culture and history, but also in
strengthening identity, creating new job opportunities, and promoting competitiveness in a
crowded marketplace.

This bill proposes to create a heritage zone within the Municipality of Bulakan in the
First Congressional District of the Province of Bulacan for the preservation and protection of
its historical sites and cultural heritage. Not only will the passage of this bill contribute to the
cultural awareness and relevance of the sites, but it will also push for developments that are
in line with the modernization of the Municipality. With the establishment of the airport in
Bulakan, the Bulakan Heritage Zone will create more opportunities to further strengthen the
appreciation of the people of its own culture and history, while encouraging tourism in the
area.

The Municipality of Bulakan is a 444-year-old town and the first and former provincial
capital of the Province of Bulacan. Since the municipality's establishment, it has borne
witness to many significant events in the country’s history, was home to national heroes who
fought for our independence, and has been a cradle of native arts and culture. It is where
prominent Filipino general Gregorio del Pilar covertly distributed the pamphlets made by
Marcelo H. del Pilar, his uncle and notable member of the Propaganda Movement in the


Spanish Era. It is the home of Pedro Serrano Laktaw, the first Filipino lexicographer whose
works convinced the Komisyon sa Wikang Filipino to build one of its Bantayog-Wika in
Bulakan as a monument to preserve and enrich Tagalog language.

Aside from the prominent personalities and historical figures who hailed from the
Municipality of Bulakan, the town itself boasts of its rich culture through its structures and
historic sites. Several establishments in the Municipality of Bulakan are already recognized
historical shrines, houses, and markers. Among its heritage sites are: the Parish Church of
Nuestra Sefiora de la Asuncion of Bulakan, which prides itself of being the oldest Roman
Catholic church in the Municipality of Bulakan, having been erected almost 400 years ago;
the Marcelo H. Del Pilar National Shrine, which is a memorial to Marcelo H. Del Pilar, whose
remains were buried in the same area; the General Gregorio del Pilar Historical Landmark
in Barrio San Jose where General Gregorio del Pilar was born; and several other ancestral
houses, such as Tahanang-Angkan ng Enriquez, Tahanang-Angkan ng Pascual, Tahanang-
Angkan ng Rodrigo, Tahanang-Angkan ng Meneses, and Tahanang-Angkan ni Sen. Soc
Rodrigo, where the spirit of the municipality's tremendous history and culture lives on.

In line with preserving the rich history and culture of the Municipality of Bulakan
amidst modernization, the passage of this bill is earnestly sought.

ANI 10


Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Quezon City

NINETEENTH CONGRESS
First Regular Session

HOUSE BILL NO. 7161

INTRODUCED BY HON. DANILO A. DOMINGO

AN ACT ESTABLISHING A HERITAGE ZONE WITHIN THE
MUNICIPALITY OF BULAKAN, PROVINCE OF BULACAN

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

SECTION 1. A Heritage Zone, as defined and provided for by Article II, Section 3(q) and
Article IV, Sections 12 and 13 of Republic Act (R.A.) No. 10066, otherwise known as the
“National Cultural Heritage Act of 2009,” is hereby established within the Municipality of
Bulakan, Province of Bulacan in order to protect the historical and cultural integrity of the
area.

The Heritage Zone shall include the cultural properties declared as National Cultural
Treasures and Important Cultural Properties as well as the National Historical Landmarks,
Shrines, Monuments, and Sites, and such other immovable, movable, or intangible cultural
properties whether publicly or privately owned, as may be designated for inclusion therein
by the National Commission for Culture and the Arts (NCCA) and its affiliated cultural
agencies, in coordination with the Municipality of Bulakan, Bulacan and other concerned
agencies and government entities.

The Department of Tourism (DOT), in coordination with the Province of Bulacan, the
Municipality of Bulakan, Bulacan and the NCCA and its affiliated cultural agencies, shall
immediately prepare the development plan involving the preservation, conservation,
restoration, and maintenance of cultural and historical sites and structures for the
enhancement and sustainability of tourism in the Municipality of Bulakan, Bulacan: Provided,
That the NCCA shall approve only those methods and materials that strictly adhere to the
accepted international standards of conservation in undertaking conservation and
restoration works, as provided for in Section 15 of R.A. No. 10066.

Within the period of one (1) year from the effectivity of this Act, the Municipality of
Bulakan, Bulacan shall pass a municipal ordinance to operationalize appropriately the
management of its Heritage Zone, including all the cultural properties designated as intrinsic
thereto, in accordance with the development plan and in line with the objectives and
provisions of R.A. No. 10066 and this Act. The ordinance shall likewise include the metes
and bounds of the Heritage Zone established pursuant to this Act.

SEC. 2. The preservation, protection, study, and promotion of the cultural and
historical integrity of the geographical area represented by the Heritage Zone shall receive
priority development attention, assistance, and funding from the NCCA and its affiliated
cultural agencies, and from the DOT and its attached agencies, subject to existing
appropriate government rules and regulations.


SEC. 3. Within sixty (60) days from the effectivity of this Act, the DOT, in coordination
with the Municipality of Bulakan, Bulacan, the NCCA, and concerned cultural agencies of
the government, shall promulgate the necessary rules and regulations for the proper
implementation of this Act.

SEC. 4. If any provision of this Act is declared unconstitutional, the remainder of this,
Act or any provisions not affected thereby shall remain in full force and effect.

SEC. 5. All laws, executive orders, presidential decrees, rules, regulations,
issuances, and enactments or parts thereof inconsistent with this Act are hereby repealed
or modified accordingly.

SEC. 6. This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after its publication in the Official
Gazette or in a newspaper of general circulation.

Approved,