Republic of the Philippines 
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES 
Quezon City, Metro Manila 
NINETEENTH CONGRESS 
First Regular Session 
HOUSE BILL NO. _______ 
Introduced by HON. CHRISTOPHERSON “COCO” M. YAP 
EXPLANATORY NOTE 
This bill seeks to declare Barangay Napantao, in the Municipality of San Francisco, 
Province of Southern Leyte, as an ecotourism zone. 
Barangay Napantao is home to the oldest Marine Protected Area in Sogod Bay. The 
Napantao Fish Sanctuary, which was established in 1996, covers an area of about 5 
hectares. It is a world-class diving site with a vibrant marine ecosystem. Accordingly, it 
has twice the amount of hard coral cover than the Philippines average.  
The growth of tourism in the area have not reached its full potential due to lack of 
infrastructure facilities that would make it convenient for tourist to visit, lack of skilled 
tour guides, and lack of promotion. 
The declaration of Barangay Napantao as eco-tourism zone would transform it into a 
community participatory and sustainable eco-tourism destination equipped with 
facilities and amenities that could help attract more tourists to the area. Furthermore, it 
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will create more opportunities for local Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises and jobs 
for the labor force. 
 
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Community participatory tourism programs with sustainability at its core spurred socio-
economic development in the tourism industry. Much of the gains of the local tourism 
initiatives has been rolled back by the COVID-19 pandemic forcing tourism related 
businesses cut their workforce or, worse, halt business operation. With the easing of 
travel restrictions, the tourism sector is poised for a comeback. 
 
In Southern Leyte, recovery of our tourism sector faced a major setback by the 
devastation brought by typhoon Odette which destroyed what little structure they had 
in place. Apart from that, it also caused lost wages and unemployment to those who 
relied on the tourism industry. 
 
This bill, along with all the other bills of a similar subject, from this representation, seeks 
to help jumpstart economic recovery in the Second District of Southern Leyte by 
providing institutional support from the national government to its tourism industry.  
 
In view of the foregoing, passage of this bill is earnestly sought. 
 
 
 
 
CHRISTOPHERSON “COCO” M. YAP 
Representative, Second District of Southern Leyte 
 
 


Republic of the Philippines 
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES 
Quezon City, Metro Manila 
NINETEENTH CONGRESS 
First Regular Session 
HOUSE BILL NO. _______ 
Introduced by HON. CHRISTOPHERSON “COCO” M. YAP 
AN ACT  
DECLARING BARANGAY NAPANTAO IN THE MUNICIPALITY OF SAN 
FRANCISCO, PROVINCE OF SOUTHERN LEYTE AN ECOTOURISM ZONE, 
PROVIDING FOR ITS DEVELOPMENT AND APPROPRIATING FUNDS 
THEREFOR 
Be it enacted by the Senate and the House of Representatives of the Philippines in 
Congress assembled: 
SECTION 1. 
Barangay Napantao of in the Municipality of San Francisco, 
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Province of Southern Leyte is hereby declared an ecotourism zone. 
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As such, its development shall be prioritized by the Department of 
3 
Tourism (DOT), subject to the rules and regulations governing the 
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development of ecotourism zones. 
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SEC. 2. 
Within one (1) year after the approval of this Act, the DOT, in 
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coordination with the concerned local government units and 
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agencies of the government, shall prepare a tourism development 
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plan for Barangay Napantao involving the construction, 
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installation and maintenance of such appropriate facilities and 
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infrastructure as shall encourage tourism in the area: Provided, 
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That said development plan shall be environmentally sound, 
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community participatory, and ensure the preservation and 
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conservation of the natural beauty and resources of the area.  
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SEC. 3. 
The DOT shall take immediate steps to implement the development 
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plan that will suit the natural characteristics of Barangay 
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Napantao, and shall incorporate the same in the overall National 
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Tourism Development Plan (NTDP), pursuant to Republic Act No. 
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9593, otherwise known as “The Tourism Act of 2009.” It shall 
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also include Barangay Napantao in all its national, regional, and 
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local promotion programs. 
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SEC 4. 
The DOT, in coordination with the Municipality of San Francisco, 
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and other concerned agencies of the government, shall identify 
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well-defined geographic areas within Barangay Napantao 
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Ecotourism Zone and ensure the integrated development of these 
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areas for the optimum utilization of natural assets and attractions, 
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as well as the preservation of their historic significance. 
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SEC. 5. 
The Secretary of the DOT shall include in the Department’s 
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program the implementation of this Act, the funding of which shall 
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be included in the annual General Appropriations Act and from 
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internally generated funds of the DOT. 
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SEC. 6. 
Within sixty (60) days from effectivity of this Act, the Secretary of 
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the DOT shall promulgate the necessary rules and regulation for 
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the proper implementation of this Act. 
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SEC. 7. 
All laws, rules, regulations, proclamations, executive orders or 
41 
parts thereof inconsistent with this Act, are hereby amended 
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accordingly. 
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SEC. 8. 
This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after its publication in 
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the Official Gazette or in a newspaper of general circulation. 
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Approved,