Republic of the Philippines | RECEIVED
HOUSE OF THE REPRESENTATIVES 09 AUG 2014
Quezon City, Metro Manila DATE: a.

SEVENTEENTH CONGRESS
First Regular Session

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he

RESISTRATIC

HOUSE BILL NO.

Introduced by: HON. ERIC D. SINGSON

EXPLANATORY NOTE

The proposed bill aims to declare Pinsal Falls located in the municipality of Santa Maria,
province of Hlocos Sur as a tourist destination

Pinsal Falls lies among the a nice foliage of hills and mountains of Barangay Babal-lasioan in the
town of Sta. Maria, Ilocos Sur and is about 45 minutes away by car from Sta. Maria’s municipal
hall. The falls may also be reached by foot from the nearby town of Pilar, Abra, through a set of
stone steps in the mountain by the falls. These steps are regularly used by the residents of Pilar to
travel to and from the town of Sta. Maria

‘The waterfall measures about eighty five (85) feet-high which cascades down into a narrow
gorge. The waters of the falls flow down into not just one but two large natural catch basins at
the bottom, Visitors may swim in the clear waters and a hidden cave may be found behind the
main waterfall

There are steps carved into the hillside lead to up to the top of the falls. A number of other
interesting natural features of the area may be seen along the way. Salty water drips down from a
point in the southern hillside on the steps going up to the pools and at the top of the falls a
number of natural pools can be found, There is also a hot spring, a pool that is full of swirling
water that is hot enough to boil an egg in about 10 minutes.

Lack of local government funding and inadequate national support has kept Pinsal Falls from
reaching its true potential as a tourist destination, However, with the passage of this Act, Pinsal
Falls will finally get its recognition and development from the national government that it so
richly deserves.

In view of the policy of the State to promote a tourism industry that is ecologically sustauinable,
responsible, participative, culturally sensitive, economically viable and ethically and socially
equitable for local communities as declared in R.A. 9593, otherwise known as the “Tourism Act
of 2009”, the approval of this bill is earnestly recommended

ERIC D. SINGSON

|S AND INDEX SERVICE J


CONGRESS OF THE PHILIPPINES
SEVENTEENTH CONGRESS

First Regular Session

HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
BH34
House Bill No.

INTRODUCED BY REPRESENTATIVE ERIC D, SINGSON

AN ACT DECLARING PINSAL FALLS IN THE MUNICIPALITY OF
SANTA MARIA, PROVINCE OF ILOCOS SUR AS A TOURIST
DESTINATION, PROVIDING FOR ITS DEVELOPMENT AND

APPROPRIATING FUNDS THEREFOR.

Be it enacted by the House of Representatives of the Philippines in Congress

assembled:

SECTION 1. The Pinsal Falls is hereby declared a tourist destination to which it
shall be accorded with priority development by the Department of Tourism (DOT)
and shall be subject to the rules and regulations governing the development of

declared tourist destinations.

SECTION 2. The Department of Tourism, in coordination with the local
government units and other concerned government agencies shall develop an
overall plan involving the construction, installation and maintenance of appropriate

infrastructure and facilities to boost tourism in the area of Pinsal Falls: Provided,


that said development plans shall ensure the preservation and conservation of the

natural area around Pinsal Falls.

SECTION 3. The Department of Tourism shall take immediate steps in
implementing the tourism development plan that will suit to the natural
characteristic of Pinsal Falls and shall incorporate the same in its overall

development plans and programs for national implementation.

SECTION 4, It shall be the responsibility of the Department of Tourism to
promote Pinsal Falls as a tourism area in all its national , regional and local

promotional programs.

SECTION 5. The Secretary of Tourism shall issue such rules and regulations as
may be necessary to carry out the purpose of this Act.

SECTION 6, The amount necessary to carry out the provision of this Act shall be
included in the General Appropriations Act of the year following its enactment into

law and thereafter.

SECTION 7. All laws, rules, regulation, proclamations, executive orders or parts

therefor inconsistent with this Act, are hereby amended accordingly.

SECTION 8. This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after publication in the

Official or in two (2) national newspapers of general circulation.

Approved,