Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Quezon City

Eighteenth Congress
First Regular Session

HOUSE BILL NO. 6320

Introduced by Representative JAKE VINCENT S. VILLA

EXPLANATORY NOTE
There is a need to spearhead and fast-track the tourism development plan of the Province of
Siquijor.

The institutionalization of a tourism development plan through the enactment of this
measure will be the backbone of tourism development in the Province of Siquijor. This will
ensure sustainable development in terms of tourism for the province. A tourism
development plan catered to the culture and heritage of the province is needed to preserve
such rights of Siquijudnons despite the rapid development in the Province.

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

JAKE > A


Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Quezon City

Eighteenth Congress
First Regular Session

HOUSE BILL No. 8320

Introduced by Representative JAKE VINCENT S. VILLA

AN ACT
DECLARING THE PROVINCE OF SIQUIJOR AS A RESPONSIBLE, COMMUNITY-
BASED CULTURAL HERITAGE AND ECOTOURISM ZONE

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

SECTION 1. Title. — this Act shall be known as the “Siquijor Responsible Tourism
Act”.

SECTION 2. Declaration of Policy. — The State recognizes, respects and protects the
rights of indigenous cultural communities to preserve and develop their cultures, traditions,
and institutions, and considers these rights in the formulation of national plans and policies.

The State is further mandated to promote a tourism industry that is ecological
sustainable, responsible, participative, culturally sensitive, economically viable and equitable
for local communities. Towards this end, the Province of Siquijor is hereby declared a cultural
heritage and ecotourism zone, It shall be accorded priority development by the Department of
Tourism (DOT) and shall be subject to the rules and regulations, governing the development
of cultural heritage and ecotourism zones. The promotion of the following inherent values and
characteristics which influence the uniqueness of the Siquijor culture and the beauty of the
Province of Siquijor shall be pursued in the development and management of the tourism
industry in the Province: (a) the integrity of its ecology and environment; (b) the richness of its
natural and cultural heritage; (c) the resilience of its indigenous social institutions, as
applicable.

SECTION 3. Objectives. ~ Pursuant to the above declaration of policy, the State shall
endeavor to accomplish the following objectives:

(a) Develop and promote responsible, community-based ecological-cultural tourism as
the core management strategy in the development and growth of Siquijor;

(b) Ensure the conservation of the biodiversity and the preservation of the unique
heritage and culture of the Province;

(c) Develop tourism products and programs that will generate employment and
livelihood for the local residents consistent with the preservation and maintenance
of local heritage and culture:

(d) Guarantee that the financial and economic benefits of the tourism industry are


equitable shared by, and distributed among, the Siquijudnons and local residents by
giving preference and support community- and home-based tourism enterprises,
such as micro and small businesses like local inns, lodges and homestays,
restaurants, foods and fruits stands, arts and craft shops, and similar tourism-
oriented industries and businesses;

(e) Ensure that the quality of local tourism programs and activities are educational and
enriching for tourists and visitors through the provision of orientation, educational
and tour programs by local tour operators, nongovernment organizations (NGOs),
local government units (LGUs) and the DOT; and

(f) Guarantee that in the development and promotion of the local tourism industry, the
LGUs shall ensure that the needs of local residents and communities in the areas of
water supply, food, energy and local construction materials are first secured and
met.

SECTION 4. Provincial Tourism Development Plan. —The DOT, in coordination with
the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR), the National Commission on
Indigenous People (NCIP), and the National Commission for Culture and the Arts (NCCA),
shall assist the Province of Siquijor in the formulation of the Provincial Tourism Development
Plan that shall be complemented by a set of guidelines and standards for a responsible,
community-based ecotourism. The tourism development plan shall ensure the preservation of
the natural sites, the cultural and historic significance of identified tourist attractions, and
respect for Siquijudnon culture and traditions, and shall include the following components:

(a) Carrying capacity of sites;
(b) Specific site assessments;
(c) Identification of strategic priorities;

(d) Product development for local income generation;

(e) Capacity-building for local communities so residents therein can ably manage
economically viable and responsible, community-based ecotourism business
enterprises;

(f) Support for the formation of local production groups and networks, including the
marketing strategies and pricing of products; and

(g) Marketing strategies that reflect the natural, cultural, social and environmental
integrity of Siquijor.

The process of developing the Tourism Development Plan shalll be participatory, from
the bottom up, with the framework provided by the DOT, the DENR, the NCIP, and the NCCA,
in consultation with the provincial and municipal governments.

SECTION 5. Formulation of Guidelines and Standards, ~ The concerned Protected
Area Management Board of the DENR, the NCIP, and the local tourism council, in
coordination with the LGUs, shall assist in the formulation of local tourism standards in the
context of environment stability, as well as recommend guidelines to ensure that biodiversity
conservation and environmental protection are integrated in the development of heritage and
ecotourism plans. The guidelines and standards shall:

(a) Raise the capacity of all stakeholders and ensure that best practices are followed;

(b) Ensure optimal use of water and energy;

(c) Reduce waste and pollution through the encouragement of recycling and
environmentally-sound waste management disposal schemes, with a principle of
taking as much waste away from the site as possible; and


(d) Encourage the use local produce and services, and support the employment of local
people.

SECTION 6. Coordination with National Agencies. ~ The DOT shall closely
coordinate with the provincial and municipal governments of the Province of Siquijor, as well
as with the regional and provincial offices of all relevant national government agencies, such
as DENR, the NCIP, the NCCA, the National Historical Commission, the National Museum,
the National Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE), the Department of Public Works
and Highways (DPWH), the Department of Transportation and Communications (DOTC), the
Department of Agriculture (DA) The Department of Science and Technology (DOST), the
Department of Education (DepEd), the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI), the
Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG), the Philippine National Police
(PNP), the Maritime Industry Authority (MARINA), and the Philippine Ports Authority (PPA)
in the implementation of this Act.

SECTION 7. Review of Provincial Tourism Development Plan ~ The review of
Provincial Tourism Development Plan shall be initiated by mere notice coming from the chief
executive of the LGU. The review shall in no way be initiated earlier than the lapse of a quarter-
portion of the timeframe as identified by the Provincial Tourism Development Plan.

SECTION 8. Implementation Rules and Regulations. ~ The DOT, the DENR, the
NCIP, and the NCCA, in consultation with the provincial and municipal governments of
Siquijor, concerned government agencies, and stakeholders, shall, within sixty (60) days from
the effectivity of this Act, promulgate the necessary rules and regulations for the proper
implementation of this Act.

SECTION 9. Separability Clause, ~ In the event that any provision of this Act or part
hereof is declared unconstitutional or invalid, the other provisions not affected thereby shall
remain in force and effect.

SECTION 10. Repealing Clause. — All laws, decrees, executive orders, presidential
issuances and other administrative rules and regulations or parts thereof which are inconsistent
with this Act are hereby repealed, amended or modified accordingly.

SECTION 11. Effectivity. — This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after its
publication in the Official Gazette or in a newspaper of general publication.

Approved,