SIXTEENTH CONGRESS OF THE REPURLTC ) OF THE ) Second Regular Session ) DEC 2; p J :(\7 SENATE P. S. R. No. ___l~ 0"')') J",,_ .! )\iJ

Introduced by Senator Mirinm Defensor Smltiago

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RESOLUTION DIRECTING THE PROPER SENATE COMMITTEE TO CONDUCT AN INQUIRY. IN AID OF LEGISLATION. ON THE REPORT THAT THE CAGSA W A RUINS IN ALBA Y IS IN NEED OF RESTORATION

WHEREAS. the Constitution. Article 2. Section 5 provides: "The State shall give priority to education. science and technology. arts. culture. and sports to foster patriotism and nationalism. accelerate social progress. and promote total human liberation and development.";

WHEREAS. Republic Act No. I 0066. otherwise known as "National Cultural Heritage Act of2009." Article 3 Section 7 Curther states that:

All cultural properties declared as Nationf!l Cultural Treasures and national historical landmarks shall be entitled to the following privileges:

(a) Priority government funding for protection, conservation and restorati 011;

(b) Incentive for private support of conservation and restoration through the Commission's Conservation incentive Program for National Cultural treasures;

( c) An official Heritage Marker placed by the cultural agency concerned indicating that the immovable cultural property has been identified as national eultural treasures; andlor national historical landmarks. sites or monuments: and,

(d) In times of armed conf1icL natural disasters, and other exceptional events that endanger the cultural heritage of the country. all National Cultural 'freasures or national historical landmarks. sites or monuments shall be given priority protection by the Government.

All cultural properties declared as Important Cultural Property may also receive government funding for its protection, conservation. and restoration. An official Heritage Marker shall likewise be placed on an immovable cultural property to identify the same as important cultural property;

WHEREAS. Inquirer.net. in an article posted on 14 December 2014. reported that Tourism officials in Bicol are requesting for restoration work on the centuries-old Cagsawa Church ruins. which they said is in danger of collapsing during earthquakes or typhoons;

WHEREAS. the Cagsawa Church, built by the Franciscans in 1724. thc Cagsawa Church was toppled by a violent eruption of Volcano on Feb. !, 1814. the church ruins III Busay, town. is among the most recognizable landmarks of province; WHEREAS, Cristina Agapita Pacres, Department of Tourism Bicol officer, reportedly said that cracks had heen found on the surface of the be lfi:y , which is already leaning, while the stones on the facade are slowly being chipped away;

WHEREAS, the requested repairs are also purportedly aimed at protecting tourists from injury when they climb the helfl'y to take photos:

WHEREAS, preservation of cultural siles and national heritage sites, as well as all other tourist spots is vital, as tourism is one orthe income generators of the country;

WHEREAS, Congress, through relevant legislation, must make deal" procedures and the agencies responsible for t he preservation of cultural sites;

WHEREFORE, BE IT HEREBY RESOL VEO BY THE PI-IlLIPPINE SENATE to direct the proper Senate committee to conduct an inquiry, in aid of legislation, on the report that the Cagsawa Ruins in Albay is in need of restoration.

Adopted,

Itdr

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