ublic of the Philippines

Republic of the Philipp’

‘House of Representatives
Quezon City

Eighteenth Congress
First Regular Session

2128

HOUSE BILL NO.

Introduced by HONORABLE LUCY TORRES-GOMEZ

EXPLANATORY NOTE

Recent global and local events, such as the incident at Resorts World Manila in 2017,
the string of violence in Europe, and the Marawi crisis, have brought to light the need to
protect the Tourism Industry from disastrous consequences of such circumstances. This bill,
also to be known as the Tourism Resiliency Act, is intended to institute a fail-safe regulatory
and administration system that protects the industry against critical, present-day threats,
such as, violence, terrorism, and also, environmental degradation and climate change.

In this pursuit, this bill proposes the creation and implementation of a Tourism
Resiliency Certification Program, which aims to prevent, mitigate and control possible
damages from risks to the industry. Both Tourism Enterprise Zones (TEZs) and the Registered
Tourism Enterprises (RTEs) under the Tourism Infrastructure and Enterprise Zone Authority
(TIEZA) shall be mandated to comply with certification criteria.

The impetus of the certification program springs from the desire to address the issue
of fragmentation in risk identification, solutions-generation and overall crisis management for
RTEs and TEZs. Therefore, the program shall take a holistic and integrated perspective in risk

assessment and problem solving versus the piece-meal protocols and procedures that are

nestly sought.
UCY TK GOMEZ

Representative
FOURTH DISTRICT, PROVINCE OF LEYTE

currently in place.

With this purpose in mind, the immediate approval of this bill



Republic of the Philippines
‘House of Representatives
Quezon City
Eighteenth Congress
First Regular Session

HOUSE BILL NO. 2128

Introduced by HONORABLE LUCY TORRE!

OMEZ

AN ACT CREATING THE TOURISM RESILIENCY CERTIFICATION PROGRAM UNDER THE
ADMINISTRATION OF THE TOURISM INFRASTRUCTURE AND ENTERPRISE ZONE AUTHORITY
(TIEZA) AND PROVIDING FUNDS THEREFOR

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

SECTION 1. Declaration of Policy. - The Tourism Industry is one of the major drivers of socio-
economic development in the Philippines. In the past decade, it has been a significant
contributor to the national economy. It is of paramount importance to protect the industry
by supporting its fundamental performance indicators. These indicators include the number
of foreign and local visitors, earnings from foreign expenditure, product development, capital
expenditure, among others.

Ensuring the security of foreign and local tourists is, therefore, a cornerstone for the
survival and growth of the industry. Moreover, the Philippine Constitution declares the
security and protection of the Filipino people, (Article 2, Sections 4 and 5), as one of the prime

duties of the Philippine Government.

SEC. 2. Definition of Terms. - As used in this Act, the following terms should be understood
to mean:

DOT - Department of Tourism

RTE - Registered Tourism Enterprises

‘EZ - Tourism Enterprise Zones

TIEZA - Tourism Infrastructure and Enterprise Zone Authority


TRCP - Tourism Resiliency Certification Program

TWG ~ Technical working group

SEC. 4. Objectives. — The main goals of this Act are to create, institute, mandate and
implement the Tourism Resiliency Certification Program (TRCP). The objectives of the TRCP
are as follows:

(a) Create a Philippine Tourism Risk Assessment Framework, a dynamic system which shall
identify actual and potential risks to the industry from terrorism, violence, natural
calamities, extreme weather, and other perceived threats. The formulation of this
framework shall be outlined in this Act’s Implementing Rules and Regulations.

(b) Prescribe a specific set of compliance measures that address risks presented in the
Philippine Tourism Risk Assessment Framework.

(c) Establish a compliance metric system to determine the level of compliance of RTEs and
TEZs.

(d) Mandate all RTEs and TEZs under the TIEZA to comply with the TRCP.

SEC. 5. Creation of the Tourism Resiliency Certification Program (TRCP). — The Tourism
Resiliency Certification Program shall be a program that (1) identifies risks to the Philippine
tourism industry, (2) prescribes compliance measures, (3) establishes an appropriate metric
system to determine certain acceptable levels of compliance, and (4) mandates the

compliance of prescribed measures by all RTEs and TEZs.

The creation of the program shall be undertaken by a Technical Working Group, to be
participated in by representatives of all pertinent stakeholders, and to be spearheaded by the
DOT. The creation of the Philippine Tourism Risk Assessment Framework shall be conducted

by a qualified international consulting entity, under the supervision of the DOT.

SEC. 6. Role of DOT and TIEZA. — The TIEZA shall be the corporate body to oversee, regulate,

implement and supervise the compliance and certification of RTEs and TEZs under this Act.
The DOT shall be the lead organizer in the creation of the Philippine Tourism Risk

‘Assessment Framework and the convention of the TWG, which shall create the measures and

mechanics of the TRCP. Additional funds shall be allocated to the DOT for these purposes,



‘SEC. 7. Implementing Rules and ‘Regulations. — The DOT and TIEZA shall promulgate not later
than thirty (30) days upon the effectivity of this Act, all the necessary rules and regulations

for its effective implementation

SEC. 8. Separability Clause. ~ If any section or part of this Act is held unconstitutional or
invalid, the other sections or provisions not otherwise affected shall remain in full force and
effect.

SEC. 9. Repealing Clause. ~ All laws, decrees, executive orders, rules and regulations,
issuances or any part thereof inconsistent with the provisions of this Act are hereby repealed,
amended or modified accordingly.

SEC. 10. Effectivity. — This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after its publication either in

the Official Gazette or in at least two (2) national newspapers of general circulation.

Approved,

yay