On December 1, 1945, thirty-one thousand four hundred hectares (31,400 has.) of land was declared as the Bataan National Park (BNP) under Proclamation No. 24. BNP sits on the mountainous terrain north of the Bataan Peninsula. Six mountain peaks dominates the Protected Area (PA). The BNP is situated in the municipalities of Hermosa, Orani, Samal, Abucay, Balanga, Pilar, Bagac and Morong. The allowed uses inside the BNP include agriculture, forestry and tourism. A MOA with the DENR-PAMB is a requirement.

The Mt. Samat Shrine or “Dambana ng Kagitingan” was completed and inaugurated in 1970. The shrine is approximately 72 hectares from the foot up to the cross. The shrine consists of the Colonnade and the huge Memorial Cross. The Memorial Cross is a towering 555-meter structure above sea level. It is made up of steel and reinforced concrete and has an elevator and viewing gallery (arm of the cross). The annual celebration of the “Araw ng Kagitingan” at Mt. Samat is the most significant event in Bataan. It commemorates the heroism and bravery of Filipino and American soldiers who offered their lives to defend our freedom and democracy from invading Japanese forces during World War II.