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HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES 
<ftur,on C!:it!' 
RE CE IVE D 
TWENTIETH CONGRESS 
First Regular Session 
HOUSE BILL NO. -'--8 9 
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BY C't:ti_ 
Introduced by HON. TSUYOSHI ANTHONY "HORI" G. HORIBATA 
EXPLANATORY NOTE 
The Ragay River, located in Barangay Pangitayan, Ragay, Camarines Sur, presents significant 
potential for development into a community-centered eco-tourism destination. With its strategic 
location near the Ragay Bridge and rich natural environment, the river area offers a viable site for 
recreational, environmental, and livelihood initiatives under a sustainable ecotourism framework. 
The successful implementation of similar river eco-park projects in the Philippines 
underscores the feasibility of this proposal. In Camarines Sur itself, the Camaligan River Park has 
revitalized the Bicol River through infrastructure, community involvement, and eco-cruising activities. 
Initiated with support from the Department of Tourism (DOT) through the Bottom-UP Budgeting 
Program, the project became a model for how local government units can integrate river conservation 
with tourism development.111 
Likewise, in Lagena, the Panguil Eco-Park has demonstrated that responsible eco-tourism can 
yield both environmental and economic benefits. Operated by the local government, the park 
generated approximately 1.75 million pesos in tourism revenue within six months, proving that eco­
parks can sustain operations and contribute to local income.1'1 
This bill seeks to declare the Ragay River in Barangay Panitayan as a priority eco-tourism site, 
with its development to be led by the DOT in collaboration with concerned local and national agencies. 
It supports the objectives of the National Ecotourism Strategy and fulfills the State's mandate under 
Article 11, Sections 15 and 16 of the 1987 Philippine Constitution to promote health, ecology, and 
sustainable development. 
In lieu of the foregoing, the immediate passage of this bill is earnestly sought. 
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First District, Camarines Sur 
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31\epublic of tbe tlbilippines 
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES 
c!!lue;on ((itp 
TWENTIETH CONGRESS 
First Regular Session 
HOUSE BILL NO. 
( 8 9
Introduced by HON. TSUYOSHI ANTHONY "HORI" G. HORIBATA 
AN ACT DECLARING THE RAGAY RIVER LOCATED IN BARANGAY PANGITAYAN, MUNICIPALITY OF 
RAGAY, PROVINCE OF CAMARINES SUR AS A PRIORITY ECOTOURISM SITE AND MANDATING ITS 
DEVELOPMENT AS AN ECOPARK, ANO APPROPRIATING FUNDS THEREFOR 
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the Philippines in Congress assembled: 
SECTION 1. Short Title. - This Act shall be known os the "Rogoy River Eco-Pork Development Act of 
2025." 
SECTION 2. Declaration of Policy. - It is the policy of the State, pursuant to Article II, Sections 15 and 
16 of the 1987 Philippine Constitution, to promote sustainable development and protect the people's 
right to o balanced and healthful ecology. The State shall likewise encourage eco-tourism as a means 
to conserve natural resources, promote environmental education, and support local socio-economic 
development. 
SECTION 3. Declaration as on Eco-Tourism Site. - The Ragoy River, particularly the stretch located in 
Barongay Pangitayan, Ragay, Camarines Sur, is hereby declared a priority eco-tourism site. Its 
development into an eco-park shall be undertaken in accordance with the principles of environmental 
sustainability, community participation, and cultural preservation. 
SECTION 4. Tourism Development Plan. - The Department of Tourism (DOT), in coordination with the 
Loco/ Government Unit (LGU) of Ragay, the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH), the 
Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR), and other relevant agencies, shall 
formulate a Tourism Development Plan for the area. The plan shall include provisions for 
environmental protection, infrastructure support (e.g., pathways, recreational zones, visitor facilities), 
waste management systems, and community-based tourism programs. 
SECTION 5. Appropriations. - The amount necessary for the implementation of this Act shall be 
charged against the current budget of the DOT. Thereafter, such os may be necessary for the 
continuous implementation, shall be included in the annual General Appropriations Act (GAA) and may 
also be sourced from TIEZA (Tourism Infrastructure and Enterprise Zone Authority) or other applicable 
funds. 
SECTION 6. Implementing Rules and Regulations. - Within sixty (60) days from the efjectivity of this 
Act, the DOT, in consultation with the LGU of Ragay, DENR, and relevant stakeholders, shall 
promulgate the necessary rules and regulations to effectively implement the provisions of this Act.