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Republic Act
Approved March 06, 1951

Republic Act No. 597

An act to declare fort santiago a national shrine and to provide for the preservation of historical monuments in the walled city of manila.

AN ACT TO DECLARE FORT SANTIAGO A NATIONAL SHRINE AND TO PROVIDE FOR THE PRESERVATION OF HISTORICAL MONUMENTS IN THE WALLED CITY OF MANILA.

In plain language

This law declares Fort Santiago as a national shrine and the walled city of Manila as a national historical monument, establishes preservation and reconstruction guidelines, and designates the former Cuartel de Espaa as a national park.

  • Fort Santiago declared a national shrine
  • Walled city of Manila declared a national historical monument
  • Cuartel de Espaa declared a national park
  • National Planning Commission supervises reconstruction and preservation
  • Funding provided through appropriations for the Department of Public Works and Communications
heritage
national shrine
historical monument
Fort Santiago
Manila

[ REPUBLIC ACT NO. 597, March 06, 1951 ]

AN ACT TO DECLARE FORT SANTIAGO A NATIONAL SHRINE AND TO PROVIDE FOR THE PRESERVATION OF HISTORICAL MONUMENTS IN THE WALLED CITY OF MANILA.

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

Section 1

Fort Santiago is hereby declared a national shrine to be known as the "Shrine of Freedom" in memory of Rizal and a Legion of National Heroes and Martyrs who had been confined and lost their lives within said premises.

It shall be reconstructed as closely as possible along the lines of the original structure, and its surrounding shall be reserved for a national Plaza of the Unknown Hero, which shall include the Ayuntamiento, and the site occupied by the former Palace of the Spanish Governors-General.

Section 2

The walled city of Manila and the walls thereof are hereby declared national historical monuments.

The walls shall be reconstructed save where they are interrupted by existing streets. Buildings constructed within the area comprised within the city walls shall conform strictly to the Spanish type of architecture of the proper period.

Section 3

The site of the former Cuartel de Espaa is hereby declared a national park to be known as USAFFE Park.

Section 4

The National Planning Commission shall exercise supervision and control over the reconstruction or preservation of the aforesaid areas and structures and shall issue rules and regulations to effectuate the preceding sections of this Act. No building shall be constructed or remodelled in the said areas without the prior approval of the Commission.

Section 5

Necessary funds for the purposes of this Act shall be provided for in the appropriations for the Department of Public Works and Communications but disbursement shall be made by the National Planning Commission under such regulations as the Auditor General may prescribe.

Section 6

This Act shall take effect upon its approval

Approved, March 6, 1951.

For information and research only, and not legal advice. This text may not reflect later amendments. For certified copies, refer to the Official Gazette or the issuing agency.