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Republic of the Philippines 
House of Representatives 
Constitution Hills, Batasan Complex, Quezon City 
NINETEENTH CONGRESS 
First Regular Session 
House Bill No. ____________ 
Introduced by Representatives ALFEL M. BASCUG and EDDIEBONG G. PLAZA 
AN ACT DECLARING THE TUGONAN WATERFALLS LOCATED IN 
BARANGAY SAN LORENZO, MUNICIPALITY OF PROSPERIDAD, 
PROVINCE OF AGUSAN DEL SUR, AN ECOTOURISM SITE, AND 
APPROPRIATING FUNDS THEREFOR 
Explanatory Note 
This bill seeks to declare Tugonan Falls as an ecotourism site in the 
Municipality of Prosperidad, Province of Agusan del Sur.  
Tugonan Falls is a 28.86 ft. high and 105.45 ft. wide waterfalls situated in 
Barangay San Lorenzo, Prosperidad. Its name derives from the word "tugon," 
which translates to "remind"—fittingly, it’s a reminder to protect this beautiful 
spot of paradise. Due to its location in the midst of a lush forest, the area is home 
to numerous attractions such as towering trees, rare orchids, and a diverse range 
of flora and fauna.  Also, tourists can engage in a variety of popular ecotourism-
related activities in the area, including trekking, swimming, bird watching, 
picnics, camping, nature viewing, and nature photography.  
Locals consider this secret gem to be a must-see destination, but it has 
never been made known to other tourists in the Philippines or the rest of the world. 
Due to a lack of necessary development and promotion, the location's tourism 
potential has been curtailed. 
July 1, 2022
8:47 am
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Thus, for this tourist gem to be developed and become a fully grown 
tourism destination, it should be declared as an ecotourism site. The declaration 
of Tugonan Falls into an ecotourism site will not just enhance its aesthetic value 
but will also increase local government revenue and create employment 
opportunities for the people of Agusan del Sur.  
Notably, this measure has been previously filed in the 18th Congress. The 
House of Representatives approved it on 3rd Reading and the bill had been duly 
transmitted to the Senate.  
The immediate passage of this bill is hereby earnestly sought. 
              ALFEL M. BASCUG 
EDDIEBONG G. PLAZA 
 1ST District, Agusan del Sur 
2nd District, Agusan del Sur 


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Republic of the Philippines 
House of Representatives 
Constitution Hills, Batasan Complex, Quezon City 
NINETEENTH CONGRESS 
First Regular Session 
House Bill No. ____________ 
Introduced by Representatives ALFEL M. BASCUG and EDDIEBONG G. PLAZA 
AN ACT DECLARING THE TUGONAN WATERFALLS LOCATED IN 
BARANGAY SAN LORENZO, MUNICIPALITY OF PROSPERIDAD, 
PROVINCE OF AGUSAN DEL SUR, AN ECOTOURISM SITE, AND 
APPROPRIATING FUNDS THEREFOR 
Be it enacted by the Senate and the House of Representatives of the 
Philippines in Congress assembled: 
SECTION 1.  The Tugonan Waterfalls located in Barangay San Lorenzo, 
Municipality of Prosperidad, Province of Agusan del Sur, is hereby declared 
an ecotourism  site. As such, its development  shall  be prioritized by the 
Department of Tourism (DOT), subject to the rules and regulations governing 
the development of ecotourism sites. 
SECTION 2.   Within one (1) year after the approval of this Act, the DOT 
shall, in coordination with the Department of Environment and Natural 
Resources and concerned local government units (LGUs) and agencies of the 
government, prepare a tourism development plan that shall include the 
construction, installation and maintenance of appropriate infrastructure and 
facilities to enhance tourism in the area: Provided, That said development plan 
shall ensure the preservation and conservation of the natural beauty and resources 
of the area. 
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SECTION 3.  The DOT shall take immediate steps to implement the 
development plan with due consideration to the natural characteristics of the 
Tugonan Waterfalls, and shall incorporate 
the 
same 
in 
its 
tourism 
development program for the calendar year immediately succeeding the 
approval of this Act. It shall also include the Tugonan Waterfalls in all its 
national, regional and local promotion programs. 
 
SECTION 4.  The Secretary of the DOT shall include in the 
Department’s program the implementation of this Act, the funding of which 
shall be included in the annual General Appropriations Act, and shall augment 
such allocation with internally generated funds of the Department. 
 
SECTION 5.  Within sixty (60) days from the effectivity of this Act, 
the DOT shall, in consultation with the Tourism Infrastructure and Enterprise 
Zone Authority and concerned LGUs and government agencies, promulgate 
the necessary rules and regulations for the proper implementation of this Act. 
 
SECTION 6.  If any provision of this Act shall be declared 
unconstitutional or invalid, the other provisions not affected thereby shall remain 
in full force and effect. 
 
SECTION 7. All laws, rules, regulations, presidential decrees and other 
issuances inconsistent with any of the provisions of this Act are hereby deemed 
repealed or amended accordingly. 
 
SECTION 8. This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after its 
publication in the Official Gazette or in a newspaper of general circulation. 
 
 
 
Approved,