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Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Quezon City

EIGHTEENTH CONGRESS
First Regular Session

HOUSE BILL NO._2292_

Introduced by Rep. Mohamad Khalid Q. Dimaporo

EXPLANATORY NOTE

This bill seeks to declare the Man-Made Lake and its premises, which is located in the
Municipality of Balo-i, Lanao del Norte, as an ecotourism zone in line with the national
government's thrust of enhancing the country’s tourism sector as a pillar of national
development.

The man-made lake in the Municipality of Balo-I is a viable area for tourism
development. The local government of Balo-I, with the help of the Provincial Government of
Lanao del Norte has devoted its resources to further develop the man-made lake in lieu of its
potential as a tourist spot and its benefits to the residents and host municipality. Thus, the man-
made lake is poised to be developed as a world-class tourist destination without compromising
its sustainability as an ecologically-sensitive natural site — a task that far exceeds the
capabilities of the host LGUs.

It is therefore the primary objective of this bill to promote the man-made lake in the
Municipality of Balo-I to become an ecotourism zone, and to ensure that the maintenance and
sustainability of the said lake can be best addressed with the help of the national govemment.
This bill wilk also increase the potential investment in the area when the man-made lake is
declared a national tourist destination as its promotion will be widespread through the
Department of Tourism’ s extensive awareness campaigns.

In view of these premises, the prompt approval of this bill is eamestly sought and
recommended.

REP.MOHA! ). DIMAPORO
T* District, Lanao del Norte


Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Quezon City

EIGHTEENTH CONGRESS:
First Regular Session

HOUSE BILL NO.__2292

Introduced by Rer. Mohamad Khalid Q. Dimaporo

AN ACT
DECLARING THE MAN-MADE LAKE AND ITS PREMISES LOCATED IN BALO-
I, LANAO DEL NORTE PROVINCE AS AN ECOTOURISM ZONE AND
APPROPRIATING FUNDS THEREFOR

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

SECTION 1. Declaration of Policy. \t is hereby declared the policy of the state to
promote a sustainable ecotourism industry to attract local and foreign tourists while making
them aware of the urgent need to conserve our natural blessings.

SECTION 2. The Man-Made Lake and its premises located in Balo-i, Lanao del Norte
Province is hereby declared as an ecotourism zone. As such, it shall be accorded priority
development by the Department of Tourism (DOT),

SECTION 3. The management and development of the Man-Made Lake Ecotourism
Park in Balo-I shall be under the Lanao del Norte Tourism Council, which shall promulgate
the rules and regulations governing the implementation of the provisions of this Act.

SECTION 4. Mighty Cave Ecotourism Park Master Plan. The Tourism Infrastructure
and Enterprise Zone Authority (TIEZA), in coordination with the Department of Tourism and
Department of Environment and Natural Resources shall develop a master plan to be approved
by the Lanao del Norte Tourism Council.

SECTION 5. Appropriations. The Secretary of the DOT shall include in the
Departments program the implementation of this Act, including the Feasibility Study and the
preparation of the master plan of the ecotourism zone, the funding of which shall be included
in the annual General Appropriations Act and/or the intemnally-generated fund of the
Department or from TIEZA.

SECTION 6. This Act shall take effect upon its approval.
Approved,