Republic of the Philippines 
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES 
Quezon City, Metro Manila 
NINETEENTH CONGRESS 
First Regular Session 
HOUSE BILL NO. _______ 
Introduced by HON. CHRISTOPHERSON “COCO” M. YAP 
EXPLANATORY NOTE 
Located in a small islet in the middle of pristine waters of Sogod Bay, Tagbak Marine 
Park, in the Municipality of Liloan, Southern Leyte, is one of the most sought-after 
tourist destinations in the province for its breathtaking scenery and turquoise waters – 
home to a coral garden and a various species of flora and fauna.  
The declaration of Tagbak Marine Park as eco-tourism zone would pave the way for its 
development into a premier community participatory and sustainable eco-tourism 
destination equipped with facilities and amenities that could help it reach its full 
potential. It would create more job opportunities to the locals, thereby contributing to 
the economic recovery of the locality. 
*** 
Community participatory tourism programs with sustainability at its core spurred socio-
economic development in the tourism industry. Much of the gains of the local tourism 
initiatives has been rolled back by the COVID-19 pandemic forcing tourism related 
July 22, 2022
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businesses cut their workforce or, worse, halt business operation. With the easing of 
travel restrictions, the tourism sector is poised for a comeback. 
 
In Southern Leyte, recovery of our tourism sector faced a major setback by the 
devastation brought by typhoon Odette which destroyed what little structure they had 
in place. Apart from that, it also caused lost wages and unemployment to those who 
relied on the tourism industry. 
 
This bill, along with all the other bills of a similar subject, from this representation, seeks 
to help jumpstart economic recovery in the Second District of Southern Leyte by 
providing institutional support from the national government to its tourism industry.  
 
In view of the foregoing, passage of this bill is earnestly sought. 
 
 
 
 
CHRISTOPHERSON “COCO” M. YAP 
Representative, Second District of Southern Leyte 
 
 


Republic of the Philippines 
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES 
Quezon City, Metro Manila 
NINETEENTH CONGRESS 
First Regular Session 
HOUSE BILL NO. _______ 
Introduced by HON. CHRISTOPHERSON “COCO” M. YAP 
AN ACT  
DECLARING THE TAGBAK MARINE PARK IN THE MUNICIPALITY OF 
LILOAN, PROVINCE OF SOUTHERN LEYTE AN ECOTOURISM ZONE, 
PROVIDING FOR ITS DEVELOPMENT AND APPROPRIATING FUNDS 
THEREFOR 
Be it enacted by the Senate and the House of Representatives of the Philippines in 
Congress assembled: 
SECTION 1. 
The Tagbak Marine Park in the Municipality of Liloan, Province 
1 
of Southern Leyte is hereby declared an eco-tourism zone. As such, 
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its development shall be prioritized by the Department of Tourism 
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(DOT), subject to the rules and regulations governing the 
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development of ecotourism zones. 
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SEC. 2. 
Within one (1) year after the approval of this Act, the DOT, in 
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coordination with the concerned local government units and 
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agencies of the government, shall prepare a tourism development 
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plan involving the construction, installation and maintenance of 
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such appropriate facilities and infrastructure as shall encourage 
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tourism in the area: Provided, That said development plan shall be 
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environmentally sound, community participatory, and ensure the 
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preservation and conservation of the natural beauty and resources 
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of the area. 
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SEC. 3. 
The DOT shall take immediate steps to implement the development 
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plan that will suit the natural characteristics of Tagbak Marine 
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Park, and shall incorporate the same in the overall National 
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Tourism Development Plan (NTDP), pursuant to Republic Act No. 
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9593, otherwise known as “The Tourism Act of 2009.”. It shall 
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also include Takbak Marine Park in all its national, regional, and 
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local promotion programs. 
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SEC. 4. 
The Secretary of the DOT shall include in the Department’s 
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program the implementation of this Act, the funding of which shall 
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be included in the annual General Appropriations Act and from 
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internally generated funds of the DOT. 
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SEC. 5. 
Within sixty (60) days from effectivity of this Act, the Secretary of 
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the DOT shall promulgate the necessary rules and regulation for 
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the proper implementation of this Act. 
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SEC. 6. 
All laws, rules, regulations, proclamations, executive orders or 
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parts thereof inconsistent with this Act, are hereby amended 
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accordingly. 
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SEC. 7. 
This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after its publication in 
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the Official Gazette or in a newspaper of general circulation. 
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Approved,