Libingan Ng Mga Magigiting Act

Senale other of the Beretty TWENTIETH CONGRESS OF THE ) REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES ) 25 AUG 28 A9:38 First Regular Session SENATE RECEIVED BY: Senate Bill No. 1305 Introduced by Senator Erwin T. Tulfo AN ACT PROVIDING FOR APPROPRIATE BURIAL GROUNDS FOR CIVILIAN UNIFORMED PERSONNEL WHO HAVE DEMONSTRATED VALOR, PATRIOTISM, AND EXEMPLARY SERVICE TO THE NATION, AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES EXPLANATORY NOTE The Libingan ng mga Bayani serves as the resting place of our soldiers and past presidents. However, no equivalent national memorial exists for our countless civilian uniformed personnel. These valiant men and women maintain peace and order, protect life, liberty and property, and promote the general welfare of the people so that we may all enjoy the blessings of democracy. While military heroism has its sacred space, civilian heroism remains dispersed and unrecognized at a national scale. This bill seeks to correct that omission. This measure proposes the establishment of a national cemetery to honor and preserve the memory of civilian uniformed personnel who have courageously and faithfully served the nation. This will be a lasting tribute to their patriotism, valor, and sacrifice.

In view of the foregoing, the immediate passage of this bill is earnestly sought. ERWIN T, TULFO

Senate Office of the Botclary TWENTIETH CONGRESS OF THE REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES 25 AUG 28 A9:38 First Regular Session RECEIVED BY SENATE Senate Bill No. 1305 Introduced by Senator Erwin T. Tulfo AN ACT PROVIDING FOR APPROPRIATE BURIAL GROUNDS FOR CIVILIAN UNIFORMED PERSONNEL WHO HAVE DEMONSTRATED VALOR, PATRIOTISM, AND EXEMPLARY SERVICE TO THE NATION, AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES Be it enacted by the Senate and the House of Representatives of the Philippines in Congress assembled:

SECTION 1. Short Title. - This Act shall be known as "Libingan

2 ng mga Magigiting Act"

SEC. 2. Declaration of Policy. - It is hereby declared the policy

of the State to honor and perpetuate the memory of Filipinos who have faithfully and valiantly served the nation. Towards this end, the State shall establish a national cemetery as a perpetual memorial to their patriotism and valor, and a sacred ground where the nation may render its highest tribute to their sacrifice.

SEC. 3. Establishment of the Libingan ng mga Magigiting. -

There is hereby established a national cemetery to be known as the Libingan ng mga Magigiting, which shall serve as the final resting 14 place of eligible civilian uniformed personnel.

The Libingan ng mga Magigiting shall be located on a suitable lot within the Clark Freeport and Special Economic Zone, or in any 3 other appropriate site as may be determined.

SEC. 4. Coverage. - The burial grounds shall be reserved for

civilian uniformed personnel, including but not limited to members of the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG), Philippine National Police (PNP), Bureau of Fire Protection (BFP), Bureau of Jail Management and Penology (BJMP), and Bureau of Corrections (BuCor).

SEC. 5. Eligibility and Qualifications. - Membership in the

civilian uniformed services shall not automatically confer eligibility for interment. To be eligible, the deceased must have: a) Died in the line of duty; b) Been conferred the highest award for valor or heroism in their respective service branch; or c) Exhibited extraordinary acts of patriotism, valor, or gallantry that embody Filipino pride and service to the nation.

SEC. 6. Board of Honors. - There is hereby created a Board of

Honors to determine eligibility for interment at the Libingan ng mga Magigiting. The Board shall be composed of the Secretary of the Interior and Local Government, the Secretary of Transportation, the Secretary of Justice, the Chairperson of the National Commission for Culture and the Arts (NCCA), and one (1) representative each from the relevant civilian uniformed services. Within ninety (90) days, the Board of Honors shall promulgate the necessary rules and regulations governing the selection of honorees, the conduct of interment ceremonies, and the preservation of dignity and solemnity befitting the site.

SEC. 7. Separability Clause. - Should any provision or part of

this Act be declared unconstitutional or invalid, the other provisions and parts hereof, insofar as they are separable from the invalid ones, 37 shall remain in full force and effect.

SEC. 8. Repealing Clause. - All laws, decrees, orders,

proclamations, rules and regulations, or parts thereof, which are inconsistent with this Act are hereby repealed, amended, or modified accordingly.

SEC. 9. Effectivity. - This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days

after its publication in the Official Gazette or in at least two (2) newspapers of general circulation. Approved,