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Republic of the Philippines Dave,
HOUSE OF THE REPRESENTATIVES
Quezon City, Metro Manila

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SEVENTEENTH CONGRESS
First Regular Session

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HOUSE BILLNO._& 799

Introduced by: HON. ERIC D. SINGSON

EXPLANATORY NOTE

The proposed bill aims to declare Santiago Cove in the municipality of Santiago,
province of Tocos Sur as a tourist destination.

Santiago Cove is located in Barangay Sabangan, in the town of Santiago, locos Sur, It is a 10
minute drive from the Manila North Road, 30 minute drive from the City of Candon and a 45
minute drive from the City of Vigan,

Santiago Cove with its crescent moon-shaped beach is dubbed as the “Boracay of locos Sur”
with its pristine white sands facing the beautiful Philippine Sea.

Lack of local government funding and inadequate national support has kept Santiago Cove from
reaching its true potential as a tourist destination. However, with the passage of this Act,
Santiago Cove will finally get its recognition and development from the national government
that it so richly deserves.

In view of the policy of the State to promote a tourism industry that is ecologically sustainable,
responsible, participative, culturally sensitive, economically viable and ethically and socially
equitable for local communities as declared in R.A. 9593, otherwise known as the “Tourism Act
of 2009”, the approval of this bill is earnestly recommended

EI ‘D. SINGSON


CONGRESS OF THE PHILIPPINES
SEVENTEENTH CONGRESS

First Regular Session

HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
93945
House Bill No,__ £798

INTRODUCED BY REPRESENTATIVE ERIC D. SINGSON

AN ACT DECLARING SANTIAGO COVE IN THE MUNICIPALITY OF
SANTIAGO, PROVINCE OF ILOCOS SUR AS A TOURIST
DESTINATION, PROVIDING FOR ITS DEVELOPMENT AND
APPROPRIATING FUNDS THEREFOR.

Be it enacted by the House of Representatives of the Philippines in Congress

assembled:

SECTION 1. The Santiago Cove is hereby declared a tourist destination to which
it shall be accorded with priority development by the Department of Tourism
(DOT) and shall be subject to the rules and regulations governing the development

of declared tourist destinations.

SECTION 2. The Department of Tourism, in coordination with the local
government units and other concerned government agencies shall develop an
overall plan involving the construction, installation and maintenance of appropriate

infrastructure and facilities to boost tourism in the area of Santiago Cove:


Provided, that said development plans shall ensure the preservation and

conservation of the natural area around Pinsal Falls.

SECTION 3. The Department of Tourism shall take immediate steps in
implementing the tourism development plan that will suit to the natural
characteristic of Santiago Cove and shall incorporate the same in its overall

development plans and programs for national implementation.

SECTION 4. It shall be the responsibility of the Department of Tourism to
promote Santiago Cove as a tourism area in all its national , regional and local

promotional programs.

SECTION 5. The Secretary of Tourism shall issue such rules and regulations as

may be necessary to carry out the purpose of this Act.
SECTION 6. The amount necessary to carry out the provision of this Act shall be
included in the General Appropriations Act of the year following its enactment into

law and thereafter.

SECTION 7. All laws, rules, regulation, proclamations, executive orders or parts

therefor inconsistent with this Act, are hereby amended accordingly.

SECTION 8. This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after publication in the

Official or in two (2) national newspapers of general circulation.

Approved,