Republic of the Philippines 
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES 
Quezon City 
EIGHTEENTH CONGRESS 
Third Regular Session 
HOUSE BILL NO. _______ 
Introduced by HON. JOY MYRA R. SALVADOR-TAMBUNTING 
EXPLANATORY NOTE 
Tourism is an indispensable element of the national economy. In 2019, the percent share of 
tourism to GDP is estimated at 12.8 percent. A lot of Filipino families also depend on the industry 
with its percent share to total employment recorded at 13.6 percent in 2019 and 11.9% in 2020. 
Considering its potential to jumpstart the economy towards national development, it is incumbent 
upon the State to adopt policies, programs and projects to protect the welfare of both foreign 
and domestic tourists and to likewise boost the image of the country as premier travel and tourism 
destination across the globe.  
This measure proposes the creation of the Tourist Protection and Assistance Task Force which 
shall be responsible for the following: (1) adoption of uniform standards on signages across the 
country, (2) preparation of multilingual travel and tourism information and promotional materials, 
(3) establishment of an assistance system and help desks for tourists, among others. The task
force shall be composed of the Department of Tourism (DOT), Department of the Interior and
Local Government (DILG), Department of Transportation (DOTr), Department of Public Works
and Highways (DPWH), Department of Justice (DOJ), the Philippine National Police (PNP), and
other government and private sector representatives.
On behalf of the people of Parañaque City’s Second District, and for the common good of the 
Filipino people, the approval of the said measure is earnestly sought. 
JOY MYRA R. SALVADOR-TAMBUNTING 
2nd District, Parañaque City 
October 24, 2021
9:23 pm
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Republic of the Philippines 
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES 
Quezon City 
EIGHTEENTH CONGRESS 
Third Regular Session 
HOUSE BILL NO. _______ 
Introduced by HON. JOY MYRA R. SALVADOR-TAMBUNTING 
AN ACT 
ESTABLISHING AN INTER-GOVERNMENTAL TASK FORCE FOR THE PROTECTION AND 
ASSISTANCE OF TOURISTS 
Be it enacted by the Senate and the House of Representatives of the Philippines in Congress 
assembled:  
Section 1. Short Title. – This Act shall be known as the “Tourist Protection and Assistance Act”. 
Sec. 2. Declaration of Principles. – The State recognizes tourism as a major contributor to 
the country's economic growth. Towards this end, the State shall endeavor to enact measures for 
the protection and assistance of tourists, both domestic and foreign, during their travel around 
the country. 
Sec. 3. Tourist Protection and Assistance Task Force. – Within nine (9) months after the 
approval of this Act, the Secretary of the Department of Tourism (DOT) shall establish an 
intergovernmental task force to be known as the “Tourist Protection and Assistance Task Force”, 
hereinafter referred to as the “Task Force.” 
It shall be the duty of the Task Force to facilitate through the concerned national government 
agencies and local government units (LGUs), the following: 
a) Adoption of uniform standards on signage for use throughout the Philippines in order to
facilitate travel in the country;
b) Provision of directional signage’s in tourism facilities and destinations, including airports
seaports land border crossings, highways, and bus train, and other public transit locations'
c) Preparation and dissemination of multilingual travel and tourism information and
promotional materials;
d) Establishment of a toll-free telephone assistance system run by multilingual operators to
provide assistance to domestic and foreign tourists;
e) Coordination with LGUs for the establishment of tourist help desks in identified tourist
destinations; and
f) Institution of measures to prevent unlawful acts or harassment committed on tourists.
Sec. 4. Composition of the Task Force. – The Task Force shall be composed of the following: 
a) Secretary of the DOT or the duly designated representative as Chairperson·
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b) Secretary of the Department of Interior and Local Government or the duly designated 
representative, as Vice Chairperson; 
c) Secretary of the Department of Transportation or the duly designated representative; 
d) Secretary of the Department of Public Works and Highways or the duly designated 
representative; 
e) Secretary of the Department of Justice or the duly designated representative; 
f) Director General of the Philippine National Police or the duly designated representative; 
g) Such other representatives of other government agencies and private sector entities as may 
be determined to be appropriate to the mission of the Task Force by the Chairperson, as 
members. 
 
The Task Force shall meet whenever necessary. 
 
Sec. 5. Funding. – The amount necessary to cover the expenses for the operation of the Task 
Force shall be charged against the existing appropriation of the DOT as contained in the annual 
General Appropriations Act. 
  
Funds for the implementation of the programs and projects that shall be approved by the Task 
Force shall be included in the appropriation of the implementing agencies concerned.  
 
Sec. 6. Separability Clause. – Should any provision of this Act or the application thereof to any 
person or circumstance be held invalid, the other provisions or sections of this Act shall not be 
affected thereby.  
 
Sec. 7. Repealing Clause. – All laws, decrees, executive orders, rules and regulations or parts 
thereof which are inconsistent with this Act are hereby repealed, amended or modified 
accordingly. 
 
Sec. 8. Effectivity Clause. – This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days following its publication 
in the Official Gazette or in at least two (2) newspapers of general circulation. 
 
Approved,