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Republic of the Philippines 
House of Representatives 
Constitution Hills, Batasan Complex, Quezon City 
NINETEENTH CONGRESS 
First Regular Session 
House Bill No. ____________ 
Introduced by Representatives ALFEL M. BASCUG and EDDIEBONG G. PLAZA 
AN ACT DECLARING THE PINANDAGATAN FALLS LOCATED IN 
BARANGAY NEW TUBIGON, MUNICIPALITY OF SIBAGAT, 
PROVINCE OF AGUSAN DEL SUR, AN ECOTOURISM SITE, AND 
APPROPRIATING FUNDS THEREFOR 
Explanatory Note 
This bill seeks to declare Pinandagatan Falls as an ecotourism site in the 
Municipality of Sibagat, Province of Agusan del Sur. 
Pinandagatan Falls is a newly discovered multi-tiered waterfall, situated in 
the remote barangay of New Tubigon, Sibagat, Agusan del Sur. Being immersed 
deep in the forest of Agusan del Sur, this is considered an amazing, untouched, 
hidden paradise. With its expanse of different majestic tiers, the Caraga 
Backpackers Group recorded the site as possibly the longest running waterfall 
and one of the best waterfalls in the Caraga Region. The place is also the home 
of various attractions, including a beautiful mountain and a wide variety of flora 
and fauna, where tourists can enjoy a number of popular ecotourism-related 
activities such as trekking, swimming, bird watching, picnics, camping, nature 
viewing, and nature photography. 
July 1, 2022
8:47 am
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This hidden tourist gem has been a local tourist attraction but has never 
been publicly exposed to other tourists in the Philippines or the world. Due to a 
lack of needed development and promotion, the tourism potential of the place has 
been curtailed. 
Thus, in order for this gem to be developed and become a fully grown 
tourist destination, it should be declared as an ecotourism site. The development 
of Pinandagatan Falls into an ecotourism site will not just enhance its aesthetic 
value but also increase local government revenue and create employment 
opportunities for the people of Agusan del Sur. 
Notably, this measure has been previously filed in the 18th Congress. The 
House of Representatives approved it on 3rd Reading and the bill had been duly 
transmitted to the Senate.  
The immediate passage of this bill is hereby earnestly sought. 
              ALFEL M. BASCUG 
EDDIEBONG G. PLAZA 
 1ST District, Agusan del Sur 
2nd District, Agusan del Sur 


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Republic of the Philippines 
House of Representatives 
Constitution Hills, Batasan Complex, Quezon City 
NINETEENTH CONGRESS 
First Regular Session 
House Bill No. ____________ 
Introduced by Representatives ALFEL M. BASCUG and EDDIEBONG G. PLAZA 
AN ACT DECLARING THE PINANDAGATAN FALLS LOCATED IN 
BARANGAY NEW TUBIGON, MUNICIPALITY OF SIBAGAT, 
PROVINCE OF AGUSAN DEL SUR, AN ECOTOURISM SITE, AND 
APPROPRIATING FUNDS THEREFOR 
Be it enacted by the Senate and the House of Representatives of the 
Philippines in Congress assembled: 
SECTION 1.  The Pinandagatan Falls located in Barangay New Tubigon, 
Municipality of Sibagat, Province of Agusan del Sur, is hereby declared an 
ecotourism  site. As such, its development  shall  be prioritized by the 
Department of Tourism (DOT), subject to the rules and regulations governing 
the development of ecotourism sites. 
SECTION 2.   Within one (1) year after the approval of this Act, the DOT 
shall, in coordination with the Department of Environment and Natural 
Resources and concerned local government units (LGUs) and agencies of the 
government, prepare a tourism development plan that shall include the 
construction, installation and maintenance of appropriate infrastructure and 
facilities to enhance tourism in the area: Provided, That said development plan 
shall ensure the preservation and conservation of the natural beauty and resources 
of the area. 
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SECTION 3.  The DOT and its concerned attached agencies shall take 
immediate steps to implement the development plan with due consideration to 
the natural characteristics of the Pinandagatan Falls, and shall incorporate the 
same in 
its 
tourism development 
program 
for the calendar year 
immediately succeeding the approval of this Act. It shall also include the 
Pinandagatan Falls in all its national, regional and local promotion programs. 
 
SECTION 4.  The Secretary of the DOT shall include in the 
Department’s program the implementation of this Act, the funding of which 
shall be included in the annual General Appropriations Act, and shall augment 
such allocation with internally generated funds of the Department. 
 
SECTION 5.  Within sixty (60) days from the effectivity of this Act, 
the DOT shall, in consultation with the Tourism Infrastructure and Enterprise 
Zone Authority and concerned LGUs and government agencies, promulgate 
the necessary rules and regulations for the proper implementation of this Act. 
 
SECTION 6.  If any provision of this Act shall be declared 
unconstitutional or invalid, the other provisions not affected thereby shall remain 
in full force and effect. 
 
SECTION 7. All laws, rules, regulations, presidential decrees and other 
issuances inconsistent with any of the provisions of this Act are hereby deemed 
repealed or amended accordingly. 
 
SECTION 8. This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after its 
publication in the Official Gazette or in a newspaper of general circulation. 
 
 
 
 
Approved,