Eighteenth Congress
Second Regular Session

HOUSE BILLNO.-_17796

Introduced by Honorable Michael B. Gorriceta

EXPLANATORY NOTE

Section 16, Article Il (Declaration of Principles and State Policies), of the 1987
Constitution states:

“Sec. 16. The State shall protect and advance the right of
the people to a balanced and healthful ecology in accord with the
rhythm and harmony of nature.”

This bill seeks to declare the Bucari Area in the Municipalities of Leon and
Alimodian, Province of] Iloilo as ecotourism zone. This is a re-filing of the same
House Bill from the 17" Congress filed by my father, Former Cong. Arcadio H.
Gorriceta.

Ecological tourism focuses on maintaining pristine, unspoiled natural
environments and providing direct financial benefits for conservation and
empowerment for local people, it also promotes the social, cultural and
economic well-being of travel destinations and local communities across the
globe.

Republic Act No. 9593, otherwise known as the “Tourism Act of 2009” governs
the establishment of the tourism enterprise zones (TEZs). This is the main
vehicle for development at a local level within the priority destinations. The
Tourism Industrial and Enterprise Zone Authority (TIEZA) designates the
TEZs, upon the recommendation of any local government unit (LGU), private
entity or through joint venture of private and public sectors.

This bill proposes to declare the Bucari Area in the Province of Iloilo as
ecotourism zone, to be known as Bucari Ecotourism Zone. The Bucari Area
consists of fourteen barangays located in the Municipality of Leon and seven
barangays located in the Municipality of Alimodian.


In order to promote viable and sustainable development of the environment
simultaneously with the right of the people to a balanced ecology, the Bucari
Development Task Force (BDTF) was created on August 26, 1996 by virtue of
Executive Order No. 170 issued by Iloilo Provincial Governor, Arthur D.
Defensor, Sr. The aim of the task force was to develop and promote Bucari as
the summer capital of the Province of Iloilo. It has a temperature comparable to
that of Baguio City and vast areas of forests consisting mainly of pine trees. It
is endowed with breathtaking scenery — 21 waterfalls, beautiful flora and fauna
and numerous mini rice terraces. Moreover, Bucari was the seat of the Civil
Resistance Government of Iloilo in World War II under Gov. Tomas Confessor.
Bucari is not just scenery but a place “where nature, legend and history meet.”

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

fr

MICHAEL B. GORRICETA


Eighteenth Congress
Second Regular Session

HOUSE BILLNO.__7796

Introduced by Honorable Michael B. Gorriceta

AN ACT DECLARING THE BUCARI AREA IN THE MUNICIPALITIES
OF LEON AND ALIMODIAN, PROVINCE OF ILOILO AS
ECOTOURISM ZONE, ESTABLISHING FOR THE PURPOSE THE
BUCARI ECOTOURISM COUNCIL AND APPROPRIATING FUNDS
THEREFOR

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 “Bucari
Ecotourism Zone Act.”

SEC. 2. Declaration of Policy. — \t is hereby declared the policy of
the State to protect the right of the people to a balanced and healthful ecology
and to promote a viable and sustainable ecotourism industry in order to attract
local and foreign tourists that will generate employment and investment
opportunities for local communities while ensuring environmental protection
and preservation of the area.

Towards this end, fourteen barangays in the Municipality of Leon and
seven adjoining barangays in the Municipality of Alimodian, Province of Iloilo
shall be accorded priority development as ecotourism zone.

SEC. 3. Bucari Ecotourism Zone. — The Bucari Area consisting of


fourteen (14) barangays in Leon namely: Bobon, Bucari, Bulwang, Camandag,
Cabunga-an, Caboloan, Bacolod, Lampaya, Maliao, Danao, Cagay, Inggay,
Tagsing and Igcadios; and seven (7) barangays of Alimodian namely:
Uminggan, Lico, Dao, Cabacanan Rizal, Cabacanan Proper, Manasa and Tabug,
in the Province of Iloilo, is hereby declared as ecotourism zone, to be known as
Bucari Ecotourism Zone. The Tourism Development Plan of the Municipalities
of Leon and Alimodian shall be incorporated in the overall National Tourism
Development Plan of the Department of Tourism (DOT) pursuant to Republic
Act No. 9593, otherwise known as the “Zourism Act of 2009,” and shall be
jointly implemented by the two municipalities and the Tourism Infrastructure
and Enterprise Zone Authority (TIEZA).

The Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR), in
coordination with the Tourism Infrastructure and Enterprise Zone Authority and
the Municipalities of Leon and Alimodian, shall delineate well-defined
geographic areas within the Bucari Ecotourism Zone and coordinate the
integrated development of the area for the optimum use of natural assets and
attractions. The development shall ensure the preservation of the flora and
fauna and perpetuate the historic significance of the identified tourist attractions.

SEC. 4. Bucari Ecotourism Council. — There is hereby created an
ecotourism council, to be known as the Bucari Ecotourism Council, which is
composed of the following:

(a) Representative from the Office of the Congressman of 2nd District,


Tloilo, as chairperson;

(b)Representative from the Office of the Governor of Iloilo, as co-

chairperson;
(c) DOT Regional Director for Region VI, as co-vice chairperson;
(d) DENR Regional Director for Region VI, as co-vice chairperson;
(ce) Representative from the Office of the Mayor of the Municipality of
Leon;

(f) Representative from the Office of the Mayor of the Municipality of
Alimodian;

(g)Representative from the Office of the Barangay Chairperson of
Barangay Bucari;

(h) One (1) representative from accredited non-government organizations

and people’s organizations engaged in ecotourism;

(i) Representative from the academe;

(j) Representative from the business sector; and

(k) Representative from the private sector; as members.

SEC. 5. Bucari Ecotourism Zone Administration. — The Bucari
Ecotourism Zone Council shall appoint an Administrator who shall serve as its
executive officer in exercising its powers and functions and in implementing the
plans, programs, and projects approved by the Council pursuant to the
objectives of this Act.

SEC. 6. Powers and Functions of the Council. — The Council shall


exercise the following powers and functions:

(a) Appoint an Adminstrator;

(b) Study, adopt, and from time to time update an Ecotourism Master Plan
and supervise the implementation of the corresponding programs and
activities therein;

(c) Assess and evaluate the potential impact of development to the
environmental safety and well-being of the Bucari Ecotourism Zone;

(d)Conduct consultations with the local residents of the Bucari
Ecotourism Zone to be affected by ecotourism development to
assimilate their cultural values and beliefs in the master plan and other
programs;

(e) Provide technical and financial assistance to communities in the
Bucari Ecotourism Zone;

(f) Perform such other functions as may be necessary to carry out the
objectives of this Act.

SEC. 7. Implementing Rules and Regulations. — The Department of
Tourism, in consultation with the Department of Environment and Natural
Resources and the Municipalities of Leon and Alimodian, shall promulgate the
necessary rules and regulations for the effective implementation of this Act.

SEC.8. Appropriations. — The amount of Fifty million pesos
(P50,000,000.00) is hereby authorized to be appropriated out of any funds in the

National Treasury not otherwise appropriated to carry out the mandate of this


Act. It shall be utilized in such manner and subject to such conditions and
limitations as may be prescribed by the Department of Budget and
Management. Thereafter, such sum as may be necessary for the continued
implementation of this Act shall be included in the annual budget of the
Department of Tourism.

SEC.9. Repealing Clause. — All laws, orders, decrees, rules and
regulations and other issuances, or parts thereof which are inconsistent with this
Act are hereby repealed or modified accordingly.

SEC. 10.  Effectivity. — This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after
its publication in the Official Gazette or in a newspaper of general circulation.

Approved,