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.

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.

SEC. 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.

SEC. 3. The site of the former Cuartel de España is hereby declared a national park to be known as USAFFE Park.

SEC. 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.

SEC. 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.

SEC. 6. This Act shall take effect upon its approval

Approved, March 6, 1951.