Two Mindanao-based legislators are pushing for the creation of "freedom parks," which they said would provide people with a venue for public assemblies sans the usual permit requirement.

Rep. Rufus Rodriguez (2nd District, Cagayan de Oro City) said that through House Bill 1065 or the Public Assembly Act, the creation of freedom parks all over the country will be institutionalized.

A freedom park is defined by the bill as "any place or location such as parks, roads, public buildings, and premises where public assemblies are usually held in which no permit is required for the holding of the same."

Rep. Maximo Rodriguez Jr. (Party-list, Abante Mindanao), Rep. Rufus' brother, served as the other author of the bill.

The measure provides that procession, rallies, parades, demonstrations, public meetings and assemblages for religious purposes shall be governed by local ordinances.

"But such ordinances shall only regulate the time, place and location of the proposed mass action and shall not in any way deny the lawful exercise of such right," Rodriguez said.

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Freedom parks