Republic ofthe Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Quezon City

‘TWENTIETH CONGRESS
First Regular Session

House Bill No. 3263

Introduced by HON. JOSEFINA B. TALLADO

EXPLANATORY NOTE

Parroquia de Nuestra Senora de Candelaria, established in the year 1611, is the oldest and first church
in the Province of Camarines Norte. The church was built by Franciscan friars and features the
canonically miraculous image of Our Lady of Candelaria.

The four (4) century-old stone church sits at the center of the town of Paracale in the 1st District of the
province of Camarines Norte. The church has been a testament to the rich cultural heritage of the
province, which structure has withstood a long period of time amidst the natural and man-made
calamities.

‘This bl, therefore, aims to declare the Parroquia de Nuestra Senora de Candelaria, in the municipality
of Paracale, Camarines Norte, 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 Paracale, to come up with a comprehensive
development plan for the improvement of infrastructures near Parroquia de Nuestra Senora de
Candelaria, and all roads leading to and from it

‘The passage ofthis bill wil also benefit the people of Paracale and the surrounding municipalities 2s 2
possible source of livelihood derived ftom the influx of toursts who will pay homage to and visit the
Parroquia de Nuestra Senora de Candelaria.

In view of the foregoing, the passage of this bill is eamestly sought.

HON, JOSEFINA B. TALLADO
Representative
‘District, Camarines Norte


Republic ofthe Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Quezon City

TWENTIETH CONGRESS
First Regular Session

House Bill no. 3283

Introduced by HON. JOSEFINA B. TALLADO

AN ACT DECLARING THE PARROQUIA DE NUESTRA SENORA DE CANDELARIA,|N

THE MUNICIPALITY OF PARACALE, CAMARINES NORTE, AS A PILGRIMAGE SITE AND AS A

TOURIST DESTINATION, PROVIDING FOR ITS DEVELOPMENT AND APPROPRIATING FUNDS
THEREFOR.

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

SECTION 4. The Parroquia de Nuestra Senora de Candelaria, in the municipality of Paracale, Camarines
Norte, is hereby declared a pilgrimage site and a tourist, destination. As such, it shall be accorded with
priority development by the Department cof Tourism (DOT) and other concerned agencies subject to the
tules and regulations governing the development of pilgrimage sites and tourist destinations.

SECTION 2. The DOT, in coordination with the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) and
‘other concemed agencies of the government shall, immediately after the effectivily ofthis Act, prepare @
development plan involving the constuction, installation and maintenance of such appropriate facities
hd infrastructure that shall improve the overall feature ofthe area thereby ensuring the accessibility and
Security of the pilgims and tourists; Provided, that the said development plan shall ensure the
preservation and conservation of the historical significance of the area.

SECTION 3. The DOT and its attached agencies shall take immediate steps in implementing the tourism
development plan that wil suit the needs of the Parroguia de Nuestra Senora de Candelaria, and
shall incorporate the same in its overall development plans and programs for national implementation.

SECTION 4. The DOT, in consultation with the local government unit of Paracale, ‘shall promulgate the
necessary rules and regulations for the proper implementation ofthis Act.

SECTION 5. The Secretary ofthe DOT shall include in the Departments program the implementation of
this Act, the funding of which shall be charges against the internally generated funds of the Toursim
infrastructure and Enterprise Zone Authority (TIEZA) andlor the appropriations in the annual General
Appropriations Act.

SECTION 6. This Act shall tke effec teen (15) days aftr its publication in the Official Gazette or in a
newspaper of general circulation.

Approved.