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REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES 
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES 
Quezon City 
NINETEENTH CONGRESS 
First Regular Session 
House Bill No.  __________ 
Introduced by HON. KRISTINE ALEXIE B. TUTOR 
Third District, Bohol 
Explanatory Note 
According to the World Travel and Tourism Council (WTTC), the Travel and Tourism 
sector accounted for 10.4% of the global GDP (US$8.8 trillion), and generated around 
319 millions jobs or 10% of total employment all over the world in 2018. The growth 
experienced in the sector accounted for one in five (1/5) of all jobs created across the 
world over the past five (5) years. Aside from generating employment, the tourism 
sector has likewise contributed to the generation of income as well as foreign-exchange 
earnings, vital to the growth of a developing country like the Philippines. 
In the country, the tourism industry has long been recognized as a key contributor to 
the country’s growth and development. In 2018, the country’s tourism industry saw a 
14.3% year-on-year jump in value to P2.2 trillion compared to its 2017 record of P1.9 
trillion. Given its contribution to our economy, the government needs to harness 
tourism as an engine of socio-economic growth and cultural affirmation to generate 
investment, foreign exchange, and employment. 
With the advent of globalization, and the development in the information and 
communications technology, more and more people from different cultures and 
languages are made aware of the different tourist sites and destinations that abound in 
the different parts of the world. The country needs to capitalize on the movement of 
persons thru tourism. One way of making the Philippines a viable choice is to ensure the 
safety, security, and comfort of the tourists.  
July 18, 2022
9:55 am
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One way of increasing and improving the safety, security, and comfort of tourists in the 
country is thru the adoption of standard signs and symbols that lead to tourist 
destinations, establishments, and services. The putting up of tourist signs and symbols 
which are universally accepted or recognized improves awareness of both local and 
foreign tourists to the existence of a tourist site or destination thereby increasing 
business activities in these areas. 
This measure seeks to establish standard tourism signs and symbols for the country in 
order to improve awareness on the existence of tourist sites/ destinations in a specific 
area as well as to enhance the experience of tourists, both domestic and foreign, who 
travel for leisure and recreation in the country.  
The adoption of a uniform or standard signs and symbols for tourist sites/ destinations, 
establishments, and services, is crucial in sustaining the growth of the industry. 
In view of the foregoing, approval of this measure is earnestly sought. 
HON. KRISTINE ALEXIE B. TUTOR 


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REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES 
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES 
Quezon City 
NINETEENTH CONGRESS 
First Regular Session 
House Bill No.  __________ 
Introduced by HON. KRISTINE ALEXIE B. TUTOR 
Third District, Bohol 
AN ACT 
STANDARDIZING TOURISM SIGNS AND SYMBOLS ALL OVER THE 
COUNTRY, PROVIDING FUNDS THEREFOR, AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES 
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 Tourism
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Signs and Symbols Act of 2022”. 
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SEC. 2. Declaration of Policy. – The State shall provide optimum 
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opportunity for all sectors of the economy to develop and contribute to national 
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growth. The tourism sector is among the key contributors to our country’s 
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economy, hence, the State should promote and sustain its growth and development 
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for the benefit of our local communities. 
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Towards this end, the State shall endeavor to promote the tourism industry 
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by adopting standard signs and symbols that would provide direction to tourists as 
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well as to promote sites and destinations in the country enhancing the growth and 
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development of the sector and the different localities.  
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SEC. 3. Standard Tourism Signs and Symbols. – The Department of 
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Tourism (DOT), in coordination with the Department of Works and Highways 
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(DPWH), shall ensure that all road signs and symbols linked to travel and tourism 
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destinations or sites established all over the country shall be uniform. Such signs 
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and symbols shall be in accord with universally accepted designs on Tourism 
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Signs and Symbols.  
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SEC. 4. Implementing Agencies. - The DOT, together with the DPWH, 
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shall determine and prescribe the necessary and proper standards to follow with 
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regard to tourism signs and symbols including the letters, font size, color, and 
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materials. Likewise, they shall replace or remove signs or symbols that does not 
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conform to their identified standards.  
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Pursuant to this Act, the DOT shall identify the different tourist sites/ 
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destinations all over the country as well as determine the suitable location where 
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these signs and symbols shall be placed.  
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SEC. 5. Penalty. – Any person who violates the provisions of this Act, 
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specifically with regard the specifications and measurements set herein, or cause 
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the removal, or vandalizes the signs and symbols as stated in this Act shall be 
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subjected to a fine not exceeding Php100,000.00. 
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SEC. 6. Appropriations. – The budgetary allocation needed to carry out 
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the provisions of this Act is hereby authorized to be appropriated in the General 
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Appropriations Act of the year immediately following its enactment. 
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SEC. 7. Implementing Rules and Regulations. – The Department of 
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Tourism (DOT), in coordination with the Department of Public Works and 
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Highways (DPWH), representatives from the tourism industry, and other 
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concerned government agencies and non-government organizations, shall 
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promulgate the implementing rules and regulations of this Act. 
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SEC. 8. Separability Clause. – If any provision of this Act shall be held 
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unconstitutional or invalid, the other provisions not otherwise affected shall 
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remain in full force and effect. 
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SEC. 9. Repealing Clause. – All laws, executive orders or issuances, or 
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any parts thereof which are inconsistent herewith are hereby repealed or amended 
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accordingly. 
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SEC. 10. Effectivity Clause. – This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days 
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after its publication in at least two (2) newspapers of general circulation. 
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Approved.