HULU FR .
Republic of the Philippines ROG Inia}

HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES. 4

Quezon City, Metro Manila sive

SEVENTEENTH — me

EXPLANATORY NOTE

This bill seeks to declare The Bakhawan Eco-Park in
New Buswang, Kalibo, Aklan as a special ecological
tourism zone to help promote and develop the area as a
tourist destination and to assist the area generate
investments that would provide employment
opportunities for local residents, given that the influx of
tourists would make the ecotourism zone a significant
source of business opportunities while protecting its
natural habitat.

Ecotourism pertains to a nature-based, educational
experience of the environment. A boost in educational
ecotourism aims to strengthen and_ heighten
environmental awareness in tourists by renewing their
appreciation and understanding of nature’s beauty and
diversity. It is defined by the International Ecotourism
Society (IES) as responsible travel to natural areas that
conserve the environment and perk up the welfare of
local people. These destinations are often remote areas,



whether inhabited or uninhabited, and are usually under
some kind of environmental protection at the national,
international, communal or private level. It denotes
education for both tourists and residents of nearby
communities as tour operators should formulate and
apply a code of conduct for both the traveler and the
industry itself to minimize their negative impacts on
sensitive environments.

The Philippines is a prime ecotourism destination for
nature lovers looking to escape from the stresses of our
fast-paced modern society. Ecotourism, as part of a
larger tourism campaign of the government, will offer
both local and foreign visitors a glimpse of the country's
natural beauty while keeping it preserved. Citing
Republic Act 9593 or the Tourism Act of 2009, it declares
tourism as an indispensable element of the national
economy and an industry of national interest and
importance. We should look for every opportunity for
greater growth and competitive strength serving the
globalized world. We must seek creative ways to
showcase the country and prove that it is indeed worth
visiting and investing in.

Bakhawan is a local Visayan term for mangroves.
Not remote from the town of Kalibo where thud and
thump of the drum for the Ati-Atihan Festival resonates,
glimmers the Bakhawan Eco-Park, a sprawling 220-
hectare forest of mangroves located at the outskirt of
Kalibo. Twenty-six years ago, the whole sphere is a
barren coastline and mud flat, totally unshielded from
the harsh rudiments of the sea. It has been transformed
into a mangrove haven by the Aklanons, led by the Kalibo


Save The Mangroves Association (KASAMA), a non-
government organization, with the help of the local
government of Kalibo and the Department of
Environment and Natural Resources (DENR). Today, the
place is teeming with life after it is officially opened to the
public in April 2008, as a tribute of Akean to
the occasion of World Earth Day. The centerpiece of this
man-made forest is a 1.3-kilometer bamboo trail that
takes visitors deep into the tranquil, unflustered spot.
One can easily appreciate the splendor of the mouth of
Aklan River that strolls alongside these thousands of
mangroves swaying and chirping birds’ sound music to
the ears that breaks the serenity of this scenic place. In
trekking the park, as you saunter on the bamboo trail,
marvelously arranged mangrove trees will delight your
eyes, the smell of fresh and clean air will permeate your
nostril as light wind caresses your skin that will leave a
comforting feeling on your being.

Besides the lush mangroves is also home to various
species of birds, including migratory ones and marine
species. Mudcrabs are also regularly caught here by the
locals. Tamiloks or woodworms also abound. In fact you
can even ask for a demonstration and eat one yourself.
Blue that illuminates the color of the sky and color of the
sea, green that painted the plants and forest, brown that
gives a melancholic effect to the solid ground and yellow,
the color of the sun that is the main source of light are
the colors of nature that provides an antidote to the
gloomy soul of Bakhawan park. This place will never fail
to amaze the nature lover out there.


At the end of the shaky wooden bridge at the end of
the trail, you can savor the scent of the calm Sibuyan
Sea that kisses the blue sky while listening to whispers
of the bakhawan leaves. The eco-park is a perfect place
to take a break from the hustle and bustle of urban life.
It is a sanctuary where one could enjoy peacefulness in
the arms of Mother Nature.

The successful Mangrove Project proved to be an
eco-friendly and sustainable solution to both security
during calamities and a source of income and food for
the locals. In fact, the project, the organizations, and
individuals has received awards in recognition of the
town’s environmentalism initiatives, the hard work, the
ups and downs encountered, and of course, the triumph.
Bakhawan Eco-Park & Research Center is truly a vital
contribution to the society and sets a benchmark for a
greener Philippines. The United Nations’ FAO acclaimed
this as one of the exemplary forests managed in the
whole of Asia and the Pacific.

With its impeccable beauty, the eco-park is an ideal
tourist destination. The rich biodiversity truly reflects the
beauty of a paradise that our country should be proud
of. However, the lack of tourist facilities -- such as
lodging houses and retail outlets and round-the-clock
public transportation -- hinder the socio-economic and
environmental development of the area. These problems,
however, can be properly addressed once the eco-park
becomes an ecotourism zone which, shall be accorded
priority development by the Department of Tourism
(DOT).


The beauty of the eco-park shall be pursued in the
development and management of the tourism industry in
the area such as the integrity of its ecology and
environment. The measure will develop and promote
responsible, community-based, ecological-cultural
tourism as the core management strategy in the
development and growth of Bakawhan Eco-Park. While
infrastructure, human capital, and tourism products and
programs are being developed, the importance of
sustaining the biodiversity is a sanctuary and remains a
key priority in the development of the place.

The bill shall guarantee that the financial and
economic benefits of the tourism industry in the area are
equitably shared by, and distributed among, the
residents of Barangay Buswang and local residents by
giving preference and support to community-and-home-
based tourism enterprises, such as micro and small
businesses like local inns, lodges and homestays,
restaurants, food and fruit stands, arts and craft shops,
and similar tourism-oriented industries and businesses.
Under the measure, community-based tourism refers to
a form of tourism where the local community and its
residents have substantial control over and involvement
in the development and management of the local tourism
industry and a greater proportion of the economic gains
remain within the community.

It shall also provide to ensure that the quality of
local tourism programs and activities are educational


and enriching for tourists and visitors through
orientation, educational and tour programs by local tour
operators, non-government organizations (NGOs), local
government units (LGUs) and the DOT. Likewise, in
order to guarantee the development and promotion of the
local tourism industry, the LGU is directed to ensure that
the needs of local residents in the area of water supply,
food, energy and local construction materials are first
secured and met. The DOT, in coordination with the
Department of Environment and Natural Resources
(DENR), the Kalibo Save the Mangroves Association, shall
assist the Municipality of Kalibo in the formulation of the
Municipal Tourism Development Plan for Bakhawan Eco-
Park that shall be complemented by a set of guidelines
and standards for a responsible community-based
ecotourism.

When the bill is enacted into a law, it will mandate
the DOT to prepare, in coordination with the local
government and other agencies, a development plan
involving the construction, installation and maintenance
of appropriate faculties and infrastructure which shall
enhance tourism in the area.

The development plan, it said, shall ensure the
preservation and conservation of the natural beauty and
indigenous nature of the area giving consideration to the
formulation, development and implementation of
programs and strategies that will generate livelihood and
employment opportunities for the local inhabitants.

The DOT will likewise be mandated to implement the
tourism development plan that will suit the natural


characteristics of the area and shall incorporate the
same in the overall development plans and programs for
national implementation.

Immediate passage of this bill is earnestly sought.

bn Zr

ENGR. CARLITO “Lito” MARQUEZ fy


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

SEVENTEENTH CONGRESS
First Regular Session

AN ACT
DECLARING THE BAKHAWAN ECO PARK IN NEW
BUSWANG, KALIBO, AKLAN AS A RESPONSIBLE,
COMMUNITY-BASED ECOTOURISM ZONE, AND
APPROPRIATING FUNDS THEREFOR

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

SECTION 1. Creation. - The Bakhawan Eco Park in
New Buswang, Municpality of Kalibo, Province of Aklan,
shall be declared as a responsible, community-based
special eco-tourism zone.

SECTION 2. Declaration of Policy. - The State is
mandated to promote a tourism industry that is
ecologically sustainable, responsible, participative,
culturally sensitive, economically viable and equitable for
a local community. Towards this end, the Bakhawan
Eco Park is hereby declared a special 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
ecotourism zones.


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

(a

(b

(d)

(e)

Develop and promote responsible, community-
based ecological tourism as the core
management strategy in the development of
Bakhawan Eco-Park;

Ensure the conservation of the biodiversity and
the preservation of the said eco-park;

Develop tourism products and programs that
will generate employment and livelihood for the
local residents and the non-governmental
organizations (NGOs) concerned, consistent
with the preservation and maintenance of the
mangrove forest;

Guarantee that the financial and economic
benefits of the tourism industry are equitably
shared by, and distributed among the local
residents and the non-government
organizations (NGOs) concerned, by giving
preference and support to community and
home-based tourism enterprises, such as micro
and small businesses like local inns, lodges and
homestays, restaurants, food and fruit stands,
and similar tourism oriented industries and
businesses;

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, non-
government organizations (NGOs), the
Municipality of Kalibo and the DOT; and
Guarantee that in the development and
promotion of the local tourism industry, the
LGU of Kalibo shall ensure that the needs of


local residents in the area of water supply, food,
energy and local construction materials are first
secured and met.

SECTION 4. Definition of Terms.-As used in this

Act:
(a)

(b)

(o)

(a)

Biodiversity conservation refers to the practice of
preserving the variety of species, habits and
ecosystems, and genetic diversity of the place,
including inter alia, terrestrial, marine and
other aquatic ecosystems, and the ecological
complexes which they are a part of;
Community-based tourism refers to a form of
tourism where the local community and its
residents have substantial control over and
involvement in the development and
management of the local tourism industry and a
greater portion of the economic gains remain
within the community;

Ecotourism refers to a form of sustainable
tourism within a natural area where community
participation, protection and management of
natural resources, cultural and indigenous
knowledge and practices, environmental
education and ethics, as well as economic
benefits are fostered and pursued for the
enrichment of host communities and
satisfaction of visitors;

Homestay refers to a system of tourist
accommodation where a tourist stays with local
residents and experiences the day-to-day life of
the residents of Barangay New Buswang and
Kalibo and the community, in particular,
Bakhawan Eco Park;

Responsible ecotourism refers to a form of
sustainable tourism in which both the tourism


sector and the tourists take responsibility in the
protection, respect, and conservation of the
natural environment and the local culture and
ways of life, and where community participation
as well as economic benefits are fostered and
pursued for the well-being of the local people in
New Buswang and visitors; and

(f) Sustainable tourism development refers to the
management of all resources in a way that
simultaneously meets the needs of tourists and
host municipality; protects the opportunities for
the future; fulfills the economic, social, and
aesthetic needs; and preserves natural integrity,
essential ecological processes, biological
diversity and a system that supports and
perpetuates life.

SECTION 5. Scope and Coverage.- This Act shall
cover the boundaries of the 220-hectare mangrove forest
or the Bakhawan Eco Park at Barangay New Buswang,
Kalibo, Aklan.

The technical boundaries shall be undertaken by the
DENR and other agencies for the proper implementation
of this Act.

SECTION 6. Municipal Tourism Development Plan for
Bakhawan Eco Park.- The DOT, in coordination with the
DENR, shall assist the Municipality of Kalibo in the
formulation of the Municipal Tourism Development Plan
for Bakawhan Eco Park that shall be complemented by a
set of guidelines and guidelines for a responsible,
community-based ecotourism. The tourism development
plan shall ensure the preservation of the eco-park, the
identified tourist attraction, and shall include the
following components:

(a) Carrying capacity of the eco-park;


(b) Specific site assessment;

(c) Identification of strategic priorities;

(d) Product development for local income
generation;

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

()} Support for the formulation of local production
groups and networks, including the marketing
and pricing of products; and

(g) Marketing strategies that reflect the natural,
social and environmental integrity of Bakhawan
Eco-Park and its local residents.

The process of developing the Tourism Master Plan
for Bakhawan Eco Park shall be participatory, from the
bottom up, with the framework provided by the DOT,
DENR, in consultation with the LGU of Kalibo and
Barangay New Buswang.

SECTION 7. Formulation of Guidelines and
Standards.- The concerned Protected Area Management
Board of the DENR and the local tourism council, in
coordination with the LGU of Kalibo and Barangay New
Buswang, shall assist in the formulation of local tourism
standards in the context of the environmental protection
are integrated in the development of ecotourism plans.

The standards and standards shall:

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

(b) Ensure optional use of water and energy;

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


much waste away from the eco-park as
possible;

(d) Prevent vandalism in the facilities of the eco-
park; and

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

SECTION 8. Coordination with National Agencies.-
The DOT shall closely coordinate with the municipal
government of Kalibo, as well as the releveant regional
offices of the DENR, DOLE, DPWH, DOTr, DA, DepEd,
DTI, DILG, the PNP, the MARINA, and other line agencies
of the government in the implementation of this Act.

SECTION 9. Implementing Rules and Regulations.-
The DOT, the DENR, in consultation with the Municipal
Government of Kalibo, concerned government agencies,
and stakeholders, within thirty (30) days from the
effectivity of this Act, shall promulgate the rules and
regulations necessary for the effective implementation of
the provisions of this Act.

SECTION 10. Appropriations.- The Secretary of
Tourism shall include in the Department’s subsidy
program, support for the capital outlay requirements of
the said Eco-Park for the preliminary implementation of
this Act and enhancement of the facilities of the
ecotourism zone which shall be taken from the budget of
the Department of Tourism for the current fiscal year.

The budgetary allocations for the succeeding years
shall be included in the General Appropriations Act,
subject to government audit.

SECTION 11. Separability Clause.- If, for any
reason, any provision of this Act is declared
unconstitutional or invalid, other provisions hereof which


are not affected thereby shall continue to be in full force
and effect.

SECTION 12. Repealing Clause. - All laws, decrees,
executive orders, proclamation and administrative
regulations, or parts thereof inconsistent herewith are
hereby repealed or modified accordingly.

SECTION 13. Effectivity Clause.- This Act shall
take effect immediately after its publication in at least
two (2) national newspapers of general circulation or in
the Official Gazette.

Approved.