Carcar City Heritage Zone Act

January 14, 2022

REPUBLIC ACT NO. 11644

AN ACT DECLARING THE CITY OF CARCAR IN THE PROVINCE OF CEBU A HERITAGE ZONE

SECTION 1. This Act shall be known as the "Carcar City Heritage Zone Act."

SECTION 2. The Constitution mandates the State to conserve, develop, promote, and popularize the nation's historical and cultural heritage and resources, as well as its artistic creations. It further provides that all the country's artistic and historic wealth constitute the cultural treasure of the nation and shall be protected by the State, which may regulate its disposition.

Towards this end, the promotion and preservation of the cultural and historical landmarks that highlight the uniqueness and beauty of Carcar City, including all century-old architecturally significant and historic houses thereat, shall be pursued in the development and management of its tourism industry, cultural heritage and resources.

SECTION 3. The City of Carcar in the Province of Cebu is hereby declared a heritage zone as defined in Article II, Section 3 (q) of Republic Act No. 10066, otherwise known as the "National Cultural Heritage Act of 2009." As such, it shall be accorded priority development by the Department of Tourism (DOT), in coordination with the Provincial Government of Cebu, the City Government of Carcar, the National Commission for Culture and the Arts (NCCA) and its affiliated cultural agencies, and other concerned agencies of the government, and shall be subject to the rules and regulations governing the conservation and preservation of heritage zones.

SECTION 4. The DOT, in coordination with the Provincial Government of Cebu, the City Government of Carcar, the NCCA and its affiliated cultural agencies, and the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR), shall immediately prepare the development plan involving the preservation, conservation, restoration, and maintenance of cultural and historical sites and structures for the enhancement and sustainability of tourism in Carcar City: Provided, That the NCCA shall approve only those methods and materials that strictly adhere to the accepted international standards of conservation in undertaking conservation and restoration works, as provided for in Section 15 of Republic Act No. 10066: Provided, further, That the applicable provisions of Republic Act No. 7586 or the "National Integrated Protected Areas System Act of 1992," as amended by Republic Act No. 11038, shall be applied in the management of the protected areas within the City of Carcar in coordination with the DENR.

SECTION 5. Within sixty (60) days from the effectivity of this Act, the DOT, in coordination with the Provincial Government of Cebu, the City Government of Carcar, the NCCA and its affiliated cultural agencies, and the DENR, shall promulgate the necessary rules and regulations for the effective implementation of this Act.

SECTION 6. This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after its publication in the Official Gazette or in a newspaper of general circulation.

Approved: January 14, 2022.