EIGHTEENTH CONGRESS OF THE) 
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES ) 
Third Regular Session 
)
11:00 a.m.
SENATE
Introduced by SENATOR IMEE R. MARCOS
AN ACT IDENTIFYING TOURISM DEVELOPMENT AREAS IN THE PROVINCE 
OF ISABELA, MANDATING SUPPORT FOR TOURISM DEVELOPMENT, 
CREATING THE ISABELA TOURISM COUNCIL, AND 
APPROPRIATING FUNDS THEREFOR
EXPLANATORY NOTE
Section 2, Chapter I of Republic Act No. 9593 or The Tourism Act of 2009, 
provides that, "The State declares tourism as an indispensable element of the national 
economy and an industry of national interest and importance, which must be 
harnessed as an engine of socio-economic growth and cultural affirmation to generate 
investment, foreign exchange, and employment, and to continue to mold an enhanced 
sense of national pride for all Filipinos."
The Department of Tourism (DOT) is pursuing a 2022 recovery plan with the end 
goal of a sustainable, resilient, and inclusive Philippine tourism industry. According to 
Tourism Secretary Bernadette Romulo-Puyat, DOT'S policy direction banks on the 
reformulated National Tourism Development Plan (NTDP) for 2016 to 2022, which has 
a three-pronged thrust of promoting safe, fun, and competitive tourism; pursuing 
sustainable, inclusive, and resilient tourism; and strengthening governance and 
destination management.
The Coronavirus 2019 pandemic, indeed, took a toll on tourism industry all over 
the world. The imposition of restrictions limited the movement and travelling of people 
which in turn had huge effects on the businesses and employees in the sector. In 
2020, the contribution of the tourism industry to the Philippines' gross domestic 
product fell to 5.4% from 12.8% in 2019.
More than a year after the imposition of restrictions, people express their desire 
to travel again both for business and leisure. Various surveys depicts the desire of 
people for a change in environment and improve mental health. As the world starts to 
reopen for personal transactions and interactions, it is high time to take this 
opportunity for the promotion of tourism in the country to support the businesses and 
workers grappling for sustained livelihood amidst these challenging times.


In order to facilitate the work of the missionaries in the evangelization of the 
Cagayan Valley, a Royal Decree was issued on 01 May 1856 which created the Province 
of Isabela from the portion of the Province of Cagayan and Nueva Vizcaya. The new 
province was named in honor of "Her Royal Highness Queen Isabela II" of Spain.
Isabela is the second largest province of the Philippines and the largest in Luzon 
in terms of land area and is home to Magat High Rise Dam and Tourism Complex 
known to be the highest and biggest dam in Asia at the time of its construction. The 
Province of Isabela comprises an aggregate land area of 10,665 square kilometers, 
representing almost 40 percent of the regional territory.
Possessing the vast expanse of marvelous scenic location and an abundance of 
cultural heritage, it is but felicitous to protect and shield our valuable tourism and 
heritage to ensure their availability for the future generations.
This bill seeks to identify various Tourism Development Areas in the Province of 
Isabela and the creation of Isabela Tourism Council which will pave the way for the 
formulation of a Tourism Development Plan for the Province and its incorporation into 
the Department of Tourism's National Tourism Development Plan and the development 
of support facilities and infrastructure to encourage positive experience for tourists, 
preserve the aesthetic beauty of the tourist attractions, promote the development of 
the tourism sector of the entire province, and improve the well-being of local residents.
In view of the foregoing, the expeditious passage of this bill is earnestly sought.
«/l./htuca/
IMEE R. MARCOS


EIGHTEENTH CONGRESS OF THE) 
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES ) 
Third Regular Session 
)
SENATE
S.B. No. 2418
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INDEX.
Introduced by SENATOR IMEE R. MARCOS
AN ACT IDENTIFYING TOURISM DEVELOPMENT AREAS IN THE PROVINCE 
OF ISABELA, MANDATING SUPPORT FOR TOURISM DEVELOPMENT, 
CREATING THE ISABELA TOURISM COUNCIL, AND 
APPROPRIATING FUNDS THEREFOR
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the Philippines in 
Congress assembled:
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SECTION 1. Declaration of Policy. - It is hereby declared the policy of the State
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to promote a tourism industry that is ecologically sustainable, responsible,
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participative, culturally sensitive, economically viable, and equitable for local
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communities. To this end, the State shall endeavor to provide the proper mechanisms
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and infrastructure for sustainable tourism development. It shall develop and promote
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certain areas and sites identified as tourist destinations or attractions in order to drive
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and propel inclusive growth throughout the country.
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Pursuant thereto, all areas within the Province of Isabela endowed with natural
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beauty or historical and cultural significance, with either existing or potential
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integrated leisure facilities deveioped for one or more tourism purpose, shall be
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considered tourism development areas.
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SEC. 2. Identification and Declaration of Tourism Sites. - Areas in the Province
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of Isabela that have potential for tourism shall be declared as ecotourism, cultural
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heritage tourism, health and wellness tourism, general leisure tourism, or mixed-use
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tourism sites after consultation with the Department of Tourism (DOT): Provided, That
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areas in environmentally protected areas shall not be declared tourism sites without
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consultation with the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR).
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The survey and verification of the areas shall be conducted by the National
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Mapping and Resource Information Authority, in coordination with the Provinciai
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Government of Isabela.
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SEC. 3. Isabela Tourism Council. - There is hereby created the Isabela Tourism
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Council, hereinafter referred to as Council, which shall be the primary policy-making,
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planning and coordinating body in the development of tourism in the Province of


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Isabela and the administration of tourism sites therein. It shall be composed of the 
following members:
a) Provincial Governor of Isabela, as Chairperson;
b) Municipal Mayors of all the municipalities and cities of the Province of Isabela, 
who shall elect from among themselves the Council's Vice Chairperson;
c) Member of the Sangguniang Panlalawigan of Isabela, duly designated by such 
body; and
d) Two (2) representatives from the private sector, appointed by the 
Chairperson of the Council, who shall serve for a period of two (2) years.
The Provincial Government of Isabela shall provide a Secretariat for the Council 
including the funding necessary to cover expenses for the performance of its official 
functions and activities.
SEC. 4. Functions of the Council. - The Council shall have the following 
functions;
a) Identify and declare areas as tourism sites;
b) Formulate programs and recommendations and manage local resources and 
funds to develop local tourism facilities and attractions;
c) Assist in the regulation and supervision of tourism-oriented establishments, 
thereby ensuring wholesome and clean tourism activities;
d) Assist in monitoring the implementation of the Local Government Code on the 
licensing of tourism estabiishments in the locality to ascertain safe and 
enjoyable stay of travelers;
e) Strictly enforce health and sanitary standards in public restrooms frequented 
by public utility vehicles and tourist transport services, i.e., gasoline stations 
and restaurants along main highways and bus stops; and
f) Perform any other duties in accordance with the guidelines issued by the 
Department of the Interior and Local Government.
SEC. 5. Isabela Tourism Development Plan. - The DOT shall, in coordination 
with the Council and concerned local government units (LGUs) and agencies of the 
government, prepare a tourism development plan for the Province of Isabela and 
incorporate the same in its overall tourism development plan pursuant to Republic Act 
No. 9593, otherwise known as the "Tourism Act of2009". The development plan shall 
be jointly implemented with the concerned LGUs and the Council.
The concerned LGUs shall, in coordination with the DOT, DENR, the Tourism 
Infrastructure and Enterprise Zone Authority and other concerned agencies of the 
government, delineate well defined geographic areas within the tourism sites and


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coordinate the integrated development of these sites for the optimal use of natural
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assets and attractions, as well as of existing facilities: Provided, That said development
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plan shall ensure the preservation of the ecological balance and natural beauty of the
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areas.
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Upon the promulgation of this Act, the Department of Public Works and
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Highways (DPWH) shall, in coordination with the DOT and the Council, implement the
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construction and improvement of roads and other infrastructure necessary in the
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development of tourism sites and shall incorporate the same in its infrastructure
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program.
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SEC. 6. Appropriations. - The Secretaries of DOT, DPWH, DENR and Department
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of Transportation (DOTr) shall include in their respective Department's program the
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implementation of this Act, the funding of which shall be included in the annual
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General Appropriations Act and shall augment such allocation with internally
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generated funds of the 
DOT.
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SEC. 7. Impiementing Ruies and Reguiations. - Within sixty (60) days from the
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effectivity of this Act, the Council shall, in consultation with the DOT, DENR, DPWH,
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DOTr, the National Economic and Development Authority and other concerned
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government agencies and stakeholders, promulgate the necessary rules and
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regulations for the proper implementation of this Act.
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SEC. 8. Separabiiity Ciause. - If any provision of this Act shall be declared
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unconstitutional or invalid, the other provisions not affected thereby shall remain in
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full force and effect.
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SEC. 9. Repeaiing Ciause. - All laws, rules, regulations, executive orders,
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proclamations, presidential decrees and other issuances inconsistent with any of the
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provisions of this Act are hereby deemed repealed or amended accordingly.
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SEC. 10. Effectivity. - This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after its
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publication in the Officiai Gazette or in a newspaper of general circulation.
Approved,