Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Quezon City, Metro Manila
NINETEENTH CONGRES S
First Regular Session
HOUSE BILL NO.
Introduced by Representative Eleandro Jesus F. Madrona
EXPLANATORY NOTE
Dubbed as the "Galapagos of Asia", the Sibriyan Island, located at the eastern side of
the Province of Romblon, is home to hundreds of species of plants and wildlife, many of
which  are  endemic to  the  island.  Some  of these  are  even  mentioned  in  the  Red Li.sf a/
7lftreatened Speci.es of the Intemational Union for the Conservation of Nature.1
Moreover,  the  island  is  also  teeming with  breath-taking landscapes  and  natural
attractions, as well as cultural and historical landmarks.  Many of these can be found in the
Municipality of Sam Femando, such as the following:
Cresta de Gallo Island and Marine Sanctuary,
Bontangigue Reef Marine Sanctuary,
Lamao Lake,
Cantingas River Resort ,
Busay Falls,
Bila-Bila Falls,
Lagting Falls,
Dagubdub Falls,
Kweba Falls,
Panas Falls,
0lango Trail of Mt. Guiting-Guiting,
Punta Cauit Lighthouse,
Casa del Sam Fernando, and
Nuestra Sefiora de Candelaria Church.
1 Lorenz Pasion. ``FAST FACTS: Things to know about Sibuyan Island, the `Galapagos of Asia." RappJer.com,
2 0 2 3. https : //www.rappler.com/ nation/Iuzo n/things -to-know-sibuyan-is land-
romblon/#:~:text=Aside%20from%20Mt.,and%20a%20marine%20protected%20area.


Hence, the town's worthiness to be developed as a world-class tourism destination.
Many local government units such as the Municipality of Sam Femando strive hard to
recover and rise from the economic onslaught of the pandemic. As tourism is known to create
jobs and generate investments, it is seen as one of the means to uplift the lives of many
Filipinos  particularly  the   rural  folks.  Alongside  the  protection   of,   and  the   efficient
conservation   efforts   for  the   environment,  this   Representation   calls   for  the   proper
formulation and implementation of a tourism development plan; installation of necessary
facilities and infrastructures in various tourism sites; capacity building of tourism officers,
operators and stakeholders; and effective local and international promotions of destinations.
With these in mind, the Province of Romblon, along with the Municipality of Sam Fernando,
could become one of the sought after ecotourism destinations in the country, a vision this
Representation has been looking forward to.
Thus, the immediate passage of this bill is earnestly sought.
~zz2-
ELEANDRO JESUS F. MADRONA


Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Quezon City, Metro Manila
NINETEENTH CONGRESS
First Regular Session
HOUSE BILL NO.
Introduced by Representative Eleandro Jesus F. Madrona
AN ACT
DECLARING TIIE MUNICIPALITY 0F SAN FERNANDO, PROVINCE OF
ROMBLON, A TOuRlsM DEVELOpnmr`IT AREA
Be  it  erracted  by  the  Senate  and  House  Of  Representatives  Of the  Philippines  in  Congress
assembled..
1                   SHCTION  1.      The  Municipality  of san  Femando,  Province  of Romblon,  is  hereby
2       declared a tourism development area (TDA).
3                     The  San Femando  TDA hereby includes the following areas within the municipality,
4      which are endowed with scenic landscapes and natural attractions, rich biodiversity, and historical
5       significance:
6                   a)   Cresta de Gallo Island and Marine sanctuary;
7                   b)   Bontangigue Reef Marine sanctuary;
8                    c)   Lamao Lake;
9                    d)   Cantingas River Resort;
10                     e)   Busay Falls;
1


1                     I)    Bila-Bila Falls;
2                    g)   Lagting Falls;
3                    h)   Dagubdub Falls;
4                    i)    Kweba Falls;
5                    j)    Panas Falls;
6                   k)   Olango Trail of Mt. Guiting-Guiting;
7                    1)    Punta cauit Lighthouse;
8                   in) Casa del san Femando; and
9                   n)  Immediate environs ofNuestra sefiora de candelaria church.
10                   Pursuant thereto, the development of these areas shall be prioritized and supported by the
11       Department of Tourism (DOT), subject to the rules and regulations governing the development of
12       tourism destinations.
13                    SEC. 2.   Within one (1) year after the approval of this Act, the municipal government of
14      San  Fernando  shall,  in  coordination with the  DOT,  Department  of Environment and Natural
15      Resources (DENR) and concerned agencies of the government, prepare a tourism development
16      plan  that  shall  include  the  construction,  installation  and  maintenance  of  such  appropriate
17      infrastructure and facilities to enhance tourism in the Municipality of  san Femando, particularly
18      in identified areas for tourism development:  Provz.decJ, That said development plan shall ensure
19      the preservation and  conservation of the natural  beauty  and resources  of the  areas:  Provz.ded
20     j¢rzrfeer, That the inplementation of the tourism development plan shall be included in the budget
21      of the municipal government ofsan Femando.
22                   SEC.  3.    The  DOT  shall  assist  the  municipal  government  of  San  Femando  in  the
23      implementation of the tourism development plan by providing technical  assistance in tourism
2


1      capacity building. It shall also include the Municipality ofsan Femando in its national and regional
2      promotionprograns.
3                   SEC. 4.  The funding for the implementation of this Act shall be included in the annual
4      budget of the municipal government of san Femando.   The DOT may augment such allocation
5      with intemally-generated funds.
6                   SEC. 5.   Within sixty (60) days from the effectivity of this Act, the municipal government
7      of san Femando shall, in consultation with the DOT and concerned agencies of the government,
8      promulgate rules and regulations to implement this Act.
9                   SEC. 6.   If any provision of this Act shall be declared unconstitutional or invalid, the other
10      provisions not affected thereby shall remain in full force and effect.
11                    SEC. 7.  All laws, rules, regulations, presidential decrees and other issuances inconsistent
12      with any of the provisions of this Act are hereby deemed repealed or amended accordingly.
13                    SEC. 8.   This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after its publication in the ojgrcj.¢/
14      GCKe#e or in a newspaper of general circulation.
15                    Approved,
3