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REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES //_° cA
House of Representatives [> RECEIVED @
Quezon City owe JAN 2018
ite:
16% Congress \ 2, Br
3 Regular Session .
HOUSE BILL No. 6374

Introduced by Congressman Alfredo D. Vargas III

EXPLANATORY NOTE

Tourism is an important part of our country’s development plans. The Philippines’ rich
biodiversity, beaches, mountains, rainforests, islands, and diving spots attract more than four
million visitors from around the world, The tourism industry is also vital in economic
development as it has contributed 7.8% to the country’s gross domestic product in 2014. Thus,
not only tourism helps spread our heritage, it also supports the grassroots economy, advances
work creation, and increases the consumption of local produce.

However, over-enthusiastic locals tend to harass or, to the worst extent, bully tourists
into buying their products and availing of their services. Thus, tourists end up being
traumatized during their stay in the country, causing our tourism industry to suffer in the long-
run,

This bill seeks to prevent the harassment of tourists by directing the Department of
‘Tourism and local barangay officials to coordinate with local vendors and service providers in
promoting a more responsible type of marketing practices.

‘Through this measure, we are ensuring that our tourists have a pleasant experience in
the country, thus securing the development of the country’s tourism industry and its
contribution to economic development.

In view of the foregoing, the passage of this bill is earnestly sought.

‘ALFREDO D. VARGAS IIL


REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES
House of Representatives
Quezon City

16 Congress
34 Regular Session

House BILL No, 6374
Introduced by Congressman Alfredo D. Vargas Ill

AN ACT
TO PREVENT THE HARASSMENT OF TOURISTS

Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the Philippines
in Congress assembled:

SECTION 1. Short Title. - This Act shall be known as the “Anti-Tourist
Harassment Act”.

SECTON 2, Declaration of Principles. - The state recognizes tourism as a
major contributor to our country’s economic growth. Towards this end, the State
shall enact measures to protect our tourists, domestic or international, from
unnecessary inconveniences during their stay. The right of the local businesses
to reasonably promote their business shall be respected.

SECTION 3. Tourist Havens. - The Department of Tourism (DOT) shall
identify the barangays which shall be considered as Tourist Havens. For the
purposes of this Act Tourist Havens are barangays which have a high volume of
tourists who stay for longer than one day.

SECTION 4, Unlawful Solicitation. - It shall be unlawful for persons to
repeatedly and aggressively solicit business from tourists who have already
expressed their desire not to be bothered by solicitations, Persons who commit
unlawful solicitation shall incur the following penalties:

1, First offense: Warning
2. Subsequent offense against the same person: Five hundred pesos fine
for each incursion.

SECTION 5. Deputization of Barangay Officials. - ‘The DOT may deputize
the Barangay Officials in the Tourist Havens to enforce this Act.

SECTION 6. - Tourism Help Desk and Regular Patrol. ~ The DOT or the
Deputized Barangay Officials in the Tourist Havens shall set up an assistance
desk/office in the areas frequented by tourists to receive tourist complaints and
manage all tourist related issues in their barangays.


‘The DOT or the Deputized Barangay Officials shall also conduct regular
patrols in such areas to ensure that the provisions of this Act are observed and
immediate assistance to tourists are offered.

SECTION 7. Responsible Marketing. - The DOT, in coordination with the
barangay officials shall conduct regular seminars and programs addressed to
local vendors and service providers promoting responsible marketing to
tourists.

SECTION 8. - Implementing Rules. - The DOT, in consultation with the
Department of Justice and the Department of Interior and Local Government,
shall promulgate the implementing rules and regulations of this Act within one
year from its effectivity.

SECTION 9. Separability Clause, - If any provision or part hereof, is held
invalid or unconstitutional, the remainder of the law or the provision not
otherwise affected shall remain valid and subsisting.

SECTION 10. Repealing Clause, - Any law, presidential decree or issuance,
executive order, letter of instruction, administrative order, rule of regulation
contrary to or is inconsistent with the provision of this Act is hereby repealed,
modified, or amended accordingly.

SECTION 11. Bffectivity Clause. - This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days
after its publication in at least two (2) newspapers of general circulation.

Approved,