Li REPRESS

S
E org AUG 88

Republic of the Philippines
Congress of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Quezon City

EIGHTEENTH CONGRESS
First Regular Session

HOUSE BILLNO._4238

Introduced by Representative MUNIR M. ARBISON

EXPLANATORY NOTE

For years, the Municipality of Jolo has served as the main gateway to the Province of
Sulu via the “Jolo Airport” or “Port of Jolo”. However, since the advent of the infamous bandits
‘Abu Sayyaf Group (ASG), random people from all walks of life have been kidnapped for
ransom, extortions and acts of lawlessness has been widespread. With this in mind, our
constituents traveling to and from Jolo coming from the nearby municipalities of Talipao,
Panglima Estino, Panamao, Kalinggalan Caluang, Omar, Luuk, and those coming from the
other island municipalities of the 2™ District of Sulu, are constrained to expose themselves to

such atrocities and unforeseen dangers.

The least of our peoples’ concern is the burdensome travel by the fact that the distance
from the Jolo Airport to the Municipality of Luuk is 60 kilometers, subjecting the public to
unnecessary long travel hours, not to mention the threats of the occasional mobile checkpoints
conducted by ASG, causing much fear, discomfort, tension and actual loss of time and
resources. Worth mentioning is the fact that Jolo Airport is geographically located adjacent to
Bud Dajo a mountain situated in the Municipality of Patikul, a place known to be a lair of the
said Abu Sayyaf Group. Moreover, Bud Dajo becomes an obstruction to navigation where the
simultaneous take-off and landing of aircrafts become risky and dangerous.

Luuk, Sulu is a 3" class Municipality located in one of the economically depressed
provinces in the country- the Province of Sulu. That notwithstanding, the municipality of Luuk
has successfully maintained peace and order in its area of jurisdiction. Thus, the creation of the

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new airport will be the opportunity to the gateway of business and trade for a centralized barter *
trade not just among the different municipalities but as well as other provinces of Tawi-Tawi,
Basilan and Zamboanga City. Furthermore, the new airport will provide employment and
business prospects once it becomes operational and its strategic location will make Luk Sulu

a new haven for commerce.

It is in this light that this bill seeks the construction of the airport in Luuk, Sulu. Not
only that it would open another door for a safer transport of people as well as faster transfer of
goods, and services, but it would also stimulate economic growth in Luuk and in the entire
province of Sulu. The province is filled with a lot of potential in the field of tourism such as
its beautiful beaches, scenic island hopping, unique dive sites, majestic mountains, tausog
delicacies, seafood, exotic fruits and warm people, hampered only by the stigma of terrorism
that has long been associated with it. Perhaps “Tourism and not Terrorism” will stand a chance
through this bill rendering the slogan “It’s More Fun in The Philippines” true even in Sulu.

In view of the foregoing, the passage of this bj



Republic of the Philippines
Congress of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Quezon City

EIGHTEENTH CONGRESS
First Regular Session

HOUSE BILL NO. 4238

Introduced by Representative MUNIR M. ARBISON

AN ACT
PROVIDING FOR THE ESTABLISHMENT AND CONSTRUCTION OF AN
AIRPORT IN THE MUNICIPALITY OF LUUK, PROVINCE OF SULU, FOR THE
BENEFIT OF THE ENTIRE PROVINCE OF SULU, TO BE KNOWN AS LUUK
AIRPORT; AND APPROPRIATING FUNDS THEREFOR

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

SECTION 1. Short Title - There shall be established and constructed an airport located in
Barangay Tanduh- Bato, in the Municipality of Luuk, Province of Sulu; To be known as the
Luuk Airport.

SECTION 2. Objective — The proposed Luuk Airport will benefit our constituents in the
Province of Sulu, particularly those adjacent Municipalities of the 2" District, namely,
Panglima Estino, Panamao, Kalingalang Caluang, Pata, Omar, together with the island
Municipalities of Lugus, Tongkil, Tapul, Siasi and Pandami; and to include the nearby
Municipality of Talipao in the I* District, Sulu by providing a safe alternative access to air
travel of people and the transport of goods and services.

SECTION 3. The Department - The Department of Transportation (DOT?) hereinafter be
called as the “Department”, shall undertake the planning and design, construction and
acquisition of the airport site in Barangay Tanduh-Bato, Municipality of Luuk, Sulu.

The Department shall be responsible for the maintenance and operation, improvement and
other related works in the airport subject to existing laws, rules and regulations.

SECTION 4. Funding - To carry out the purposes of this act, there shall be created a special
fund called the Luuk Airport Fund, which shall be sourced from the General Appropriations
Act of 2020.

SECTION 5. Separability Clause - If any part or provisions of this Act shall be held
unconstitutional or invalid, other provisions, which are not affected thereby shall continue to
be in full force and effect.


SECTION 7. Repealing Clause — Any law, executive order, letter of instruction, rules and
regulations, circulars, issuances or any part thereof inconsistent with any of the provisions of
this ACT is hereby repealed, modified and/ or amended accordingly.

SECTION 5. Effectivity - This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days from its publication in
the Official Gazette or ina newspaper of general circulation.

Approved.