EIGHTEENTH CONGRESS OF THE 
)
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES 
)
First Regular Session 
)
S E N  A J  
S. No.
' 
at U)f i^tcrrtarF
Introduced by Senator Ramon Bong Revilla Jr.19 
JUL 22 P3 57
AN ACT
RECEi -
J-
DECLARING THE NATIONAL SHRINE OF OUR MOTHER OF PERPETUAL 
HELP OR THE REDEMPTORIST CHURCH (BACLARAN CHURCH) LOCATED 
ALONG ROXAS BOULEVARD, PARANAQUE CITY A HERITAGE SITE AND 
TOURIST DESTINATION AND APPROPRIATING FUNDS THEREFOR
EXPLANATORY NOTE
The Baclaran Church or formally known as the National Shrine of Our Mother 
of Perpetual Help is one of the biggest and most significant Marian churches in the 
Philippines. Every Wednesday, also known as "Baclaran Day" to people who live in 
the area, thousands of devotees flock to the church in the name of tradition to 
attend mass and pray the Novena of Our Mother of Perpetual Help, honoring the first 
time the Novena was prayed there on June 23, 1948. The Shrine also celebrates the 
annual feast day of the Icon of Our Mother of Perpetual Help every 27th of June, 
consequently all roads that lead to the church are packed with even more people on 
pilgrimage.
The Shrine has been authorized by the Holy See to remain open twenty-four 
(24) hours a day, since the Feast of Immaculate Conception in 1958. The Shrine was 
blessed by Pope John Paul II himself during his first apostolic visit to Metro Manila 
back in 1981.
The present Romanesque structure we see there today is the third to be built 
on the same site. The second church was burned to the ground during the Japanese 
occupation, it took six (6) years to build what we see there today through the 
generous donations of the Shrine's devotees and pilgrims.


The Shrine has been a significant part of our country's socio-cultural landscape, 
particularly in Metro Manila. It has been a historical place of pilgrimage that has 
persevered through many challenges. It is a place of worship for millions of Marian 
devotees in the Philippines, and even for pilgrims and tourists from all across the world 
honoring their faith.
It is high time the State recognizes the significance of this institution. It is time 
to take the necessary steps to conserve and preserve this vital cultural site, to ensure 
the protection and security of the thousands of pilgrims and tourists who flock to 
Baclaran Church regularly.
In view of the foregoing, the passage of this bill into law is earnestly sought.
R A M O t^O N G  REVILLA, JR.


EIGHTEENTH CONGRESS OF THE 
)
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES 
)
First Regular Session 
)
\ laSF/<9flnt e{ tijf {fertrftnij*
Introduced by Senator Ramon Bong Revilla 
JUL 22 P 3 57
AN ACT
RE^,;.
DECLARING THE NATIONAL SHRINE OF OUR MOTHER OF PERPETUAL 
HELP OR THE REDEMPTORIST CHURCH (BACLARAN CHURCH) LOCATED 
ALONG ROXAS BOULEVARD, PARANAQUE CITY A HERITAGE SITE AND 
TOURIST DESTINATION AND APPROPRIATING FUNDS THEREFOR
Be it enacted by the Senate and House o f Representatives o f the Philippines 
in Congress Assembled:
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Section 1. The National Shrine of Our Mother of Perpetual Help or the
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Redemptorist Church (Baclaran Church) located along Roxas Boulevard, Paranaque
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City and its environ is hereby declared a heritage site and tourist destination. As
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such, the development of its immediate environs shall be prioritized by the
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Department of Tourism (DOT), 
in coordination with the National Historical
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Commission of the Philippines (NHCP), the local government of Paranaque and other
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concerned agencies, and shall be subject to the rules and regulations governing the
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development of heritage sites and tourist destinations.
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Sec. 2. Within one (1) year after the approval of this Act, the DOT, in
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coordination with the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) and other
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concerned agencies of the government shall prepare a tourism development plan
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involving the construction, installation and maintenance of such appropriate facilities
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and infrastructure that shall improve the overall features of the area surrounding the
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Redemptorist Church, thereby ensuring its accessibility and the security of tourists;
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Provided, that said development plan shall ensure its preservation and conservation
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of the historical significance of the area.
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Sec. 3. The DOT and its concerned attached agencies shall take immediate
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steps to implement the appropriate tourism development plan for the immediate


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Sec. 3. The DOT and its concerned attached agencies shall take immediate 
steps to implement the appropriate tourism development plan for the immediate 
environs of the National Shrine of Our Mother of Perpetual Help or Redemptorist 
Church (Baclaran Church) and its immediate environs and shall incorporate the same 
in the National Tourism Development Plan.
Sec. 4. The Secretary of the DOT, the Chairperson of the NHCP and the Chief 
Operating officer of the TIEZA shall include in their respective programs 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 his Act, the DOT, in 
consultation with the local government unit of Paranaque City, shall promulgate rules 
and regulations for the proper implementation of this Act.
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,