Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
‘Quezon City
FIFTEENTH CONGRESS
First Regular Session

House Bill No__1275

Introduced by REP. AUGUSTO BOBOY SYJUCO, Ph. D.

EXPLANATORY NOTE

The Philippines is endowed with great scenic beauty, historically significant sites,
cultural resources and a population whose traditions are attractive to tourists. These assets should
be preserved and nurtured, not only because they are appreciated by others but because they are
valued by the country’s very own citizens.

Tourism is beneficial tour society as a whole. It helps improve our economic well ~ being
by contributing to employment, generating income for local businesses and increasing
international trade. It sparks an awareness in the eyes of our people and of the world to the
beauty of our land, its history, culture and traditions. It provides an indispensable educational
tool for our people to learn about their geography and history, political institutions, artistic and
historic wealth.

The National government, for the past years, has encouraged tourism and recreation
explicitly in a number of decrees, executive orders and legislative enactments. However, the
tourism industry is confronted with problems of policy directions and effective coordination with
government agencies and private sector groups. There is a need to lay down integrated and
coordinated policies, plans and strategies that the industry will follow for the accomplishment of
tourism — related programs and projects.

It is the purpose of this bill to lay down the policies for tourism industry and create an
interagency coordinating council to efficiently and effectively coordinate the functions and
resources of government agencies in tourism programs geared toward the attainment of such
policies.

sO
wy Bi
AUGUSTO BOBOY SYJUCO, Ph. D.
2 District, Province of Iloilo


Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Quezon City

FIFTEENTH CONGRESS.

First Regular Session

House Bill No_ 1278

Introduced by REP. AUGUSTO BOBOY SYJUCO, Ph. D.

AN ACT “
ESTABLISHING A NATIONAL TOURISM POLICY AND
APPROPRIATING FUNDS THEREFOR

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

Section 1. ‘This Act shall be known as the “National Tourism Policy Act of
2010.”

Sec. 2. Objectives — The development, promotion and advancement of tourism as a
major national activity shall be pursued in accordance with the policies, strategies and programs
enunciated by the government. The State shall seek:

(a) Ensure the development of Philippine tourism that is for and by the Filipino people,

conserving and promoting our heritage, national identity and sense of unity:


(b) Recognize tourism development as integral to the national socio-economic
development efforts to improve the quality of life of the Filipino people, receiving
the appropriate attention and financial support necessary for the growth of this
industry; ° .

(¢) Promote a tourism industry that is ecologically sustainable by maintaining a balance
between economic development, and environment and natural resource
protection; and

(@) Create a favorable image of the Philippines within the international community of
nations, thereby strengthening the country’s attraction as a tourism destination and
eventually paving the way for other benefits that may result from a positive global
view of the country.

Sec. 3. National Tourism Policy - In pursuance of the above objectives, the State
hereby adopts the following policies:

(a) Encourage activities and programs which promote tourism awareness while at the
same time presorving the country’s diverse cultures and heritage, and instilling a
sense of history among the youth and the populace in general;

(6) Promote the preservation of traditional craft skills, production of handicrafts and
folk arts by private artisans in the regions where their products have a special
appeal to tourists, and the holding of craft demonstrations, trade shows, and
expositions;

(©) Encourage the use of indigenous architectural designs and materials in the

construction of tourism facilities to the greatest extent possible;


(d) All things being equal, grant preferential treatment to the employment of Filipino
nationals in tourism-related enterprises;

(©) Provide fall government assistance by way of competitive investment incentives,
Jong-term development funds made available by government financing institutions,
and other financing schemes extended to Filipino-owned enterprises;

() Ensure that tourism development protects and promotes the general well-being of
the Filipino people, particularly in the area of investments, to include the
monitoring and prevention of any act of profiteering or speculation 1o the
detriment of local residents;

(g) Encourage competition in the tourism industry and maximize consumer choice by
enhancing the continued viability of the retail travel industry and independent tour-
operation industry;

(h) Enhance the collection, analysis, and dissemination of data which accurately
measure the economic and social impact of tourism in the country to facilitate
planning in the public and private sectors;

(® Develop ecotourism as a strategy for low impact, environmentally-sound and
community-participatory tourism programs enlisting the participation of local
ee ee
cultural diversity, promoting environmental understanding and education, and
ensuring full enjoyment of the benefits thereof by the concerned communities;

() Encourage the participation of non-govemment organizations, people's
owanizations and the private sector in initiating programs for tourism

development and environmental protection;



(W) Rationatize existing civil aviation, land and sea transportation policies as they relate
to tourism, in consonance with existing bilateral agreements and inter-agency
pronouncements; .

@ Promote the convention handling capabilities of the country in order to regain its
position as a leading convention center in Asia;

(m) Achieve a balance in tourism development between urban cities and rural areas;

(n) Grant preferential attention to tourism-oriented projects of local government units
(LGUs) and to domestic tourism, thereby ensuring accessible and affordable
destinations throughout the country;

(©) Maintain intemational standards of excellence in all tourism-oriented facilities,
accommodation and services, and promote the country as a safe, wholesome and
competitive tourist destination;

(p) Enhance international business relation for the support of tourism-oriented projects
of the private sector, through partrierships, joint ventures and other cooperative
undertakings involving local and foreign investors;

(@ Recognize and adhere to the principles embodied in the Manila Declaration on
World Tourism Conference held on October 1, 1980 and the Tourism Bill of
Rights and Tourist Code of 1985 of the General Assembly of World Tourism
Organization Session, dated October 17 to 26, 1985.

Sec. 4, Creation of a National Tourism Policy Couneil - To cary out the
provisions of this Act, the National Tourism Policy Council is hereby created, hereinafter
referred to as the “Council,” to review, integrate, and synchronize the policies, plans,

programs and services of government and private agencies related to tourism.


Sec. 6. Meetings - The Council shall meet at least six (6) times a ycar. Special
meetings shall be held upon the call of the Chairperson or a majority of its members.

Sec. 7, Powers and Functions - The Council shall have the following powers and
functions: .

(@) To determine, monitor and review the participation of all concemed agencics and
coordinate the policies and programs affecting tourism recreation, national heritage,
and environmental and natural resource preservation;

(b) To closely coordinate and work with all government agencies concemed, local
government units «cus and the private sector to ensure the smooth
implementation of tourism plans and programs;

(c) To assist in the maximum participation of the private sector in tourism development
and support the organization and activities of local tourism councils;

(d) To formulate and enforce a system of accountability for short and long term adverse
environmental impact of tourism projects, programs or activities, which shall
include the setting up of a funding or guarantee mechanism for clean-up and
environmental rehabilitation and compensation for personal damages;

(©) To prepare a national ecotourism strategy/program which shall guide the
development, promotion and management of sustainable ecotourism in the country,
incorporating as among its main features the identification of ecotourism sites,
involvement of local communities, protection of the rights of indigenous peoples,
environmental education and information campaign, and provision of technical and
financial assistance to communities which are included in the network of tourism

sites;


Sec. 5. Composition - the Council shall be composed of fifteen (15) members, as
follows:

‘The Secretary of the Department of Tourism

‘The Secretary of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources

‘The Secretary of the Department of Transportation and Communications

‘The Secretary of the Department of Public Works and Highways;

‘The Secretary of the Department of ‘Trade and Industry

‘The Secretary of the Department of Interior and Local Government

‘The Dean of the University of the Philippines, Asian Institute of Tourism

‘Three (3) members representing the private sector:

‘The head of the Hotel and Restaurant Association of the Philippines (HRAP)

2. The head of the Philippine Tour Operators Association (PHILTOA)

3. The head of the Philippine Travel Agencies Association (PTAA)

‘Three (3) members representing the transportation sector:

1, The Chairman of the Board of Airline Representatives

2. The representative from the land transport sector

3. The representative from the sca transport sector

One (1) member representing the Regional Tourism Councils; and

One (1) member representing the indigenous peoples.
The Secretary of Tourism shall be the Chairperson. He shall appoint from the nominees
of the private and transportation sectors, the Regional Tourism Councils and the
indigenous peoples their respective representatives to the Council. The Council shall

appoint a representative of the private sector to be the Vice-Chairperson.


() To create a National Ecotourism Steering Committee and Regional Ecotourism
Committees to effectively implement the national ecotourism strategy/program, and
to act as arbitrators during conflict pertaining to ecotourism issues;

(g) To call upon any ——— or private entity for assistance or support whenever
deemed necessary to carry out tlic provisions of this Act;

(h) Whenever necessary, to create such committees to conduct studies for the
formulation of policies, plans, programs and activities for the attainment of the
purposes of this Act; and

() To exercise or perform such other powers and functions as may be deemed
necessary, proper or incidental to the attainment of its objectives.

Sec. 8. Annual Reports, he National Tourism Policy Council shall submit an annual
report for the preceding fiscal year to the President of the Philippines for transmittal to
Congress on or before the thirty-first day of December of each year, which shall include a
comprehensive and detailed report of the activities and°accomplishment of the Council
and its policy committees, results of efforts to coordinate the plans, programs and projects
of member agencies affecting tourism and recreation, and its efforts to resolve inter-agency
conflicts and to develop areas of cooperative program activities.

Sec, 9. Secretariat - The Secretariat of the Council shall be organized to be composed.
of officials and employees from both the government office and the private sector
organizations.

Sec, 10, Rules and Regulations - The Secretary of Tourism, in collaboration with
other government agencies concerned, shall promulgate the rules and regulations necessary

for the effective implementation of this Act.


Sec. 11. Appropriations - The amount of Ten Million Pesos (P10,000,000.00)
necessary for the implementation of this Act shall be included in the General
Appropriations Act of the year following ils enactment into law. ‘Thereafter, the annual
fanding of Ten Million Pesos (P10,000,000.00) shall be charged against the travel tax
collections acoruing to the Department of Tourism.

Sec. 12, Repealing Clause - All laws, decrees and executive order inconsistent with
the provisions of this Act are hereby repealed or modified accordingly.

Sec. 13. Effectivity - This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after its publication in
the Official Gazette or ia at least two (2) national newspapers of general cireulaion,

whichever comes earlier.

Approved,