HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
RECEIVED
Cun 9

Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
| Quezon City, Metro Manila

Seventeenth Congress
- laces REGISTRATION UNIT
first Regular Session BILLS AND INDEX SERVICE

9
HOUSE BILL NO. 1020

Introduced by Honorable Leopoldo N. Bataoil

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| EXPLANATORY NOTE
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This bill seeks to establish a marine eco-tourism park in the Municipality of
Lingayen, Province of Pangasinan and appropriating funds therefor. It shall be known

e Lingayen Gulf Marine Eco-Tourism Park."

Lingayen is a first class municipality in the Province of Pangasinan. It is the
capital municipality and the seat of government of the Province of Pangasinan.
According to the 2010 census, it has a population of 98,740 people. It is located along the
Lingayen Gulf, the Agno river, and the Limahong Channel.

Agriculture, livestock and fishing are the major industries of the town. The major
fishipg ground is the Lingayen Gulf within the municipal territorial waters of fifteen
(15) kilometers from the shoreline clasified as the municipal fishing ground. Fisheries

can be found in every barangay.

Its rich history includes the landing site of the US Forces during the World War
IL, the grand Capitol Complex, the Sison Auditorium, Urduja Building and lately, the
establishment of the Lingayen Baywalk makes the town Lingayen as the new center of

tourjsm and emerging growth area for trade and investment.



This bill, therefore, seeks to establish a marine eco-tourism park in the
Municipality of Lingayen to protect it from indiscriminate exploitation and to maintain

its ecological balance and preserve the waters surrounding the area.

It is deemed crucial that we protect and regenerate Lingayen Gulf to insure that
our children and the generations to come will inherit the beauty of our bountiful marine
life. The marine eco-tourism park will be an ideal destination for the students for their
educational tours. It will also boost local and national economy as it provides
livelihood, employment and business with the expected influx of local and foreign

tourists.

A Bantay Dagat Outpost with breakwater enclosure designed to protect a one (1)
square kilometer area shall be constructed to serve as the guardian of the sea, ensure
compliance and enforcement of fishery laws and serve as staging area for search and
rescue operations. It shall serve as a central docking area for fast crafts for visiting
tourists and "lakbay-aral" groups. It shall also serve as a terminal for travelers to Sual,
Hundred Islands in Alaminos, Bolinao, Dagupan, San Fabian, Agoo and Poro Point in

San Fernando City, La Union.

In view of the foregoing, the passage of this bill is highly recommended.

/

LEOPOLDO }ATAOIL



Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES.
Quezon City, Metro Manila

Seventeenth Congress

First Regular Session

1020
HOUSE BILL NO.

Introduced by Honorable Leopoldo N. Bataoil

AN ACT
PROVIDING FOR THE ESTABLISHMENT OF "LINGAYEN GULF MARINE ECO-
TOURISM PARK IN THE MUNICIPALITY OF LINGAYEN, PROVINCE OF
PANGASINAN AND APPROPRIATING FUNDS THEREFOR.

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

assembled:

SECTION 1. This Act shall be known as the “Lingayen Gulf Marine Eco-
Tourism Park Act”.

Sec. 2. It shall be the declared policy of the State to promote and protect the right
of the people to a healthful ecology in accord with the rhythm and harmony of nature
that will also encourage marine ecotourism industry to attract local and foreign tourists
to secure the country’s share in the world tourism market and to make it an avenue for
generation of employment while ensuring environmental protection, conservation and

preservation of the natural resources and ensuring public safety.



Sec. 3. There shall be established a marine eco-tourism park, under the
supervision of the Department of Tourism in close coordination with the Bureau of
Fisheries and Aquatic Resources of the Department of Agriculture (DA), the Pangasinan
Provincial Government and the Municipal Government of Lingayen. The site of the
marine eco-tourism park shall be located at the Capitol Beach Front, adjacent to the

Lingayen Baywalk along the coast of the historic Lingayen Gulf.

Sec. 4. For the purpose of this Act, a marine eco-tourism park governing board is
hereby created to be known as the Lingayen Gulf Marine Eco-Tourism Park Board. It
shall be composed of the following:

(a) Governor of the Province of Pangasinan, Chairperson

(b) Representative of the second District of the Province of Pangasinan, co-
Chairperson

() Department of Tourism (DOT) Regional Director for Region 1, member

(d) DA Regional Executive Director for Region 1, member

(€) Mayor of the Municipality of Lingayen, member

(8) One representative of the business sector, member and

(g) One representative of the private sector

Sec. 5. Within ninety (90) days from the effectivity of this Act, the Secretary of
Department of Tourism in coordination with the Director of the Bureau of Fisheries and
Aquatic Resources, Region 1 of the Department of Agriculture and the concerned Local
Government Units shall issue the necessary rules and regulations for the effective

implementation of this Act.

Sec.6. The amount necessary for the construction of the Park and the
improvement of the roads leading to the Park shall be charged to the Convergence
Fund of the Department of Tourism, Department of Agriculture, Department of Public
Works and Highways and Department of Transportation and Communications.

Thereafter, such sum as may be necessary for the repair and maintenance of the Park



and the road leading to the Park shall be included in the annual General Appropriations
Act.

SEC. 7. This act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after its publication in the

Official Gazette or in a newspaper of general circulation.

Approved,