FIFTEENTH CONGRESS OF THE REPUBLIC)

OF THE PHILIPPINES )
First Regular Session )
19 WL 22 ASAD
SEN,
sno ABBA
Introduced by Senator Miriam Defensor Santiago J,

EXPLANATORY NOTE.

E.O. No. 292, a.k.a, “Administrative Code of 1987,” Title 13, Chapter 1, Section 1,
provides:
The State shall promote, encourage and develop tourism as a major national
activity in which private sector investment, effort and initiative are fostered and
supported, and though which socio-economic development may be accelerated, foreign
exchange earned, international visitors offered the opportunity to travel to the Philippines
and appreciate its natural beauty, history and culture, and Filipinos themselves enabled to
see more or their country and imbued with greater pride in and commitment to the nation.
‘The tourism industry contributes to the economic growth of our country by generating,
foreign exchange eamings, employment opportunities and intemational goodwill. It also
promotes the rich and colorful socio-cultural life of the Filipino people.

In order to realize the full potential of tourism as an important economic tool necessary
for national development, the government should adopt and implement an integrated approach to
tourism development.

Hence, this bill seeks to establish an intergovernmental task force for international visitor

assistance to make the Philippines the premiere travel and tourism destination in the world."

; MIRIAM abba nbile
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' This bill was originally filed during the Fourteenth Congress, First Regular session.
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FIFTEENTH CONGRESS OF THE REPUBLIC) ‘
OF THE PHILIPPINES
First Regular Session )

s. Ne “Yba4

Introduced by Senator Miriam Defensor Santiago

ESTABLISHING AN INTERGOVERNMENTAL TASK FORCE FOR
INTERNATIONAL VISITOR ASSISTANCE

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 “Visit Philippines Act.”

SECTION 2. International Visitor Assistance Task Force. -

(A)ESTABLISHMENT - Not later than nine (9) months after the cnactment of this Act,
the Secretary of Tourism shall establish an Intergovernmental Task Force for International
Visitor Assistance (hereinafter referred*to as the “Task Force”).

(B) DUTIES -The Task Force shall examine ~

(1) signage at facilities in the Philippines, including airports, seaports, land border
crossings, highways, and bus, train, and other public transit stations, and shall identify
existing inadequacies and suggest solutions for such inadequacies, such as the adoption
of uniform standards on signage for use throughout the Philippines in order to facilitate
international visitor’s travel in the Philippines;

(2) the availability of multilingual travel and tourism information and means of
disseminating, at no or minimal cost to the government, of such information; and

(3) facilitating the establishment of a toll-free, private-sector operated, telephone
number, staffed by multilingual operators, to provide assistance to international tourists
coping with an emergency.

(C) MEMBERSHIP - The Task Force shall be composed of the following members:
(1) The Secretary of Tourism;

(2) The Secretary of Interior and Local Government;


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(3) The Secretary of Transportation and Communications;

(4) 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
‘Chairman. ‘

(D)CHAIRMAN - The Secretary of Tourism shall be the Chairman of the Task Force.
The Task Force shall meet at least twice each year, Each member of the Task Force shall furnish
necessary assistance to the Task Force.

(E) REPORT -Not later than eighteen (18) months after the date of the enactment of this
Act, the Chairman of the Task Force shal! submit to the President and to Congress a report on the
results of the review, including proposed amendments to existing laws or regulations as may be
appropriate to implement such recommendations.

SECTION 3. Funding. -

(A) AUTHORIZATION - Subject to subsection (b), there are authorized to be
appropriated such sums as may be necessary for the purpose of funding promotional activities by
the Department of Tourism to help brand, position, and promote the Philippines as the premiere
travel and tourism destination of the world.

(B)RESTRICTIONS ON USE OF FUNDS - None of the funds appropriated under
subsection (1) may be used for purposes other than marketing, research, outreach, or any other
activity designed to promote the Philippines as the premiere travel and tourism destination in the
world.

SECTION 4. Report to Congress. - The Secretary shall submit to relevant Committees of
the Congress an annual detailed report setting forth -

(A) the manner in which appropriated funds were expended;

(B)changes in the Philippine market share of international tourism in general and as
measured against specific countries and regions;

(Cjan analysis of the impact of intemational tourism on the Philippine economy,
including, as specifically as practicable, an analysis of the impact of expenditures made pursuant

to this Section;


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(D)an analysis of the impact of international tourism on the Philippine trade balance and,
as specifically as practicable, an analysis of the impact on the trade balance of expenditures made
pursuant to this section; and

(Ban analysis of other relevant economic impacts as a result of expenditures made
pursuant to this section.

SECTION 5. Separability Clause. - If any provision or part hereof, is held invalid or
unconstitutional, the remainder of the law of the provision not otherwise affected shall remain
valid and subsisting,

SECTION 6. Repealing Clause. - Any law, presidential decree or issuance, executive
order, letter of instruction, administrative order, rule or regulation contrary to or inconsistent
with the provisions of this Act is hereby repealed, modified or amended accordingly.

SECTION 7. Effectivity Clause: ~ This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after its
publication in at least two (2) newspapers of general circulation.

Approved,