Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Quezon City, Metro Manila

NINETEENTH CONGRESS
First Regular Session

1872

HOUSE BILL NO.

INTRODUCED BY REP. CHING BERNOS

AN ACT
DECHARING ‘THE KAPARKAN FALLS IN BARANGAY CAGANAYAN,
MUNICIPALITY OF TINEG, PROVINCE OF ABRA AN ECOTOURISM SITE,
ESTAB! I [SHING THE KAPARKAN FALLS DEVELOPMENT COUNCIL, AND
APPROPRIATING FUNDS THEREFOR

EXPLANATORY NOTE

The International Ecotourism Society defines ecotourism as “responsible travel to
natural areas that conserve the environment, sustains the well-being of the local people, and
involves interpretation and education.” Environmental respect and protection are para-
mount in preserving our natural wonders. Among these is the Kaparkan Falls found in Mu-
nicipality of Tineg, in the Province of Abra.

Kaparkan Falls is unlike any other falls found in the Philippines. The water flowing
into a terrain akin to the Rice Terraces of the Cordilleras gives it a very unusual yet majestic
form. It is among the many natural wonders that Abra has to offer local and foreign tourists.
The soothing cool waters invites the visitors who had travelled a great distance just to see
the glorious wonder which had been featured in many television programs and in social
media.

Kaparkan Falls as an ecotourism site is a communal asset that can be utilized to fur-
ther improve the local economy of the municipality. Diversifying the economy of Tineg, a
second-class municipality engaged in agriculture and agriculture-related businesses, by



venturing into tourism will greatly improve the livelihood of the people by starting their
own micro-small, and medium-scale enterprises related to the newfound tourism fame of
the town.

To this end, the declaration of Kaparkan Falls as an ecotourism site will further local
economic development and will reaffirm our country’s position as a major tourist destina-
tion in the world.

In light of the aforementioned explanation, the immediate passage of this bill is
earnestly sought.

REP. CHING B. BERNOS
ne District, Abra



Republic of the Philippines
} HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Quezon City, Metro Manila

NINETEENTH CONGRESS
First Regular Session

1972

HOUSE BILL NO.

INTRODUCED BY REP. CHING BERNOS

AN ACT
DECLARING THE KAPARKAN FALLS IN BARANGAY CAGANAYAN,
MUNICIPALITY OF TINEG, PROVINCE OF ABRA AN ECOTOURISM SITE,
ESTABLISHING ‘THE KAPARKAN FALLS DEVELOPMENT COUNCIL, AND
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 as the “Kaparkan Falls Ecotourism
Act”.

Sec. 2. Declaration of Policy. Section 16, Article II of the Constitution declares
that the State shall protect and advance the right of the people to a balanced and healthful
ecology in accord with the rhythm and harmony of nature.

Towards this end, it shall be the policy of the State to promote an ecologically
sustainable and culturally-sensitive tourism industry as a tool for socio-economic
development in the country, where its participants receive equitably benefits from the
development of the sector.

Sec. 3. Kaparkan Falls Ecotourism Site. Kaparkan Falls in Barangay
Caganayan, Municipality of Tineg, Province of Abra is hereby declared an ecotourism site.
As such, its development shall be prioritized by the Department of Tourism (DOT) and the


Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR), and shall be subject to the

rules and regulations governing the development of ecotourism sites.

Sec, 4. Technical Description of the Kaparkan Falls. The technical
description of the area encompassing the Kaparkan Falls and which is being declared an
ecotourism site is as follows:

Parcel I pertains to the area beginning at a point markes “1” on the Land Classification Map,
with Latitude 17°43’20.045”, Longitude 120°49'23.406” situated in Barangay Caganayan,
ey of Tineg, Province of Abra:

thence N 66°36'3” W 197.74 meters to corner 2;
hence NN 42°0'47”"" W 757-30 meters to corner 3;
thenop S 85°16'40” W 779-17 meters to corner 4;
thence N12°10'7" W 286.49 meters to corner 5;
thence N77°23'41" W (643.61 meters to corner 6;
thenee $67°44'4” W 718.40 meters to commer 7;
thence N 24°40’5”E 422.70 meters to corner 8;
thence N13°15'39” W 309.23 meters to corner 9;
thence N13°15'39” W 796.43 meters to corner 10;
thence N 66°47'45” W 487.84 meters to corner 11;
thence S 40°6'0” W 300.02 meters to corner 12;
thence N 67°42’56” W 377.03 meters to corner 13;

thence N 28°49'58” W 1372.40 meters to corner 14;


thence
thence
thence
thence
thence
then
thence
thence
thence
thence
thence
thence
then
T
thence
thence
thence
thence
thence

thence

N55°40'44” W
N 16°5'33” W
N37°22'38" E
N 47°56'7" W
N 47°56'6” W
NN 43°56'28” W
N 40°4723" E
N 41°17" W

N 33°46'57" E
N 88°56'9” E
N 44°36'46" E
$.59°49'30" E
N 24°39'42” E
S$ 75°5'23” E

N 49°41'30" E
$ 85°18'52” E
S$ 63°41'21" E1
S$ 47°44'2"E

S 38°22'14” W

1405.10

802.84

1372.04

575-48

2987.39

3073.46

181.17

281.26

1109.68

661.69

667.95

351.17

435.90

578.87

441.90

916.37

232.59

1515.21

254.05

meters to corner 15;

meters to corner 16;

meters to corner 17;

meters to corner 18;

meters to corner 19;

meters to corner 20;

meters to corner 21;

meters to corner 22;

meters to corner 23;

meters to corner 24;

meters to corner 25;

meters to corner 26;

meters to corner 27;

meters to corner 28;

meters to corner 29;

meters to corner 30;

meters to corner 31;

meters to corner 32;

meters to corner 33;


thence
thence
thence
thence
aa
thence
thence
thence
thence
thence
thence
then
i
thence
thence
thence
thence
thence
thence

thence

$77°4'26" W
S 42°13'55” W
S 15°38'32” W
$ 47°13'19” W
S$ 33°57'36” W
8 59°52'5” E
N 43°13'58” E
NN 52°34'12” E
S 43°56'23" E
N 65°28'46" E
$ 79°33'27" E
S$ 32°45'9" E

S 23°49'12” W
$g1°92'18” E
S 48°34’20" E
S$ 72°34'53" E
$ 39°6'26" E

$8 37°6’50” W

S$ 0°22'3” E

69.41
230.04
193.19
233-74
262.86
1447.06
747-38
338.69
632.71
612.02
719.87
288.29
360.89
403.22
1138.30
240.80
283.88
529.58

652.55

meters to corner 34;

meters to corner 35;

meters to corner 36;

meters to corner 37;

meters to corner 38;

meters to corner 39;

meters to corner 40;

meters to corner 41;

meters to corner 42;

meters to corner 43;

meters to corner 44;

meters to corner 45;

meters to corner 46;

meters to corner 47;

meters to corner 48;

meters to corner 49;

meters to corner 50;

meters to corner 51;

meters to corner 52;



thence
thence
thence
thence
thence
thence
thence
thence
thence
thence
thenee
thence

thence

na
thence
thence
ftmeep
thence

thence

8 35°43'5" E
$11°16'36” E
$ 12°0'46” W
S 16°32’51" E
S$ 19°28'39” W
N 82°45'28” W
N39°34'10” W
N74°22'15” W
N 80°8'28” W
S$ 19°23'4” W
$2°14'12” W

$ 63°20'54” E
$ 13°68" E

8 50°57'43” W
S 33°13'57" E
S 3°21'33” W

S$ 20°20'36” E
8 6°56'41" E

§ 32°45'50” W

994.36

409.83

966.56

688.54

619.13

628.25,

358.96

288.19

28.50

47-33

§2.25

203.07

164.61

622.29

783.24

801.22

781.26

689.00

425.67

meters to corner 53;

meters to corner 54;

meters to corner 55;

meters to corner 56;

meters to corner 57;

meters to corner 58;

meters to corner 59;

meters to corner 60;

meters to corner 61;

meters to corner 62;

meters to corner 63;

meters to corner 64;

meters to corner 65;

meters to corner 66;

meters to corner 67;

meters to corner 68;

meters to corner 69;

meters to corner 70;

meters to corner 1,



containing an area of 6,827 hectares, more or less.

PARCEL II pertains to the area beginning at a point markes “1” on the Land Classification
Map, with latitude 17°46'34.257", Longitude 120°46’52.307” situated in Barangay
Caganayan, Municipality of Tineg, Province of Abra:

thenoy NN 47°52'37” W 109.32 meters to corner 2;
thence N1°53'12” W 180.48 meters to corner 3;
thence NN 29°54'10” W 210.51 meters to corner 4;
thence N 8°20'28” W 184.31 meters to corner 5;
then S 88°7'44” E 124.15, meters to corner 6;
thenes N53°31'33” E 96.36 meters to corner 7;
|
roan $ 19°16'52” E 134.16 meters to corner 8;
thence $.11°49'12” E 171.94 meters to corner 9;
thence N39°3'16" E 251.05 meters to corner 10;
et S$ 2°44” W 383.32 meters to corner 11;
thence S$ 29°31'52” W 156.74 meters to corner 12;
thence S 72°39'18” W 151.01 meters to corner 1.

containing an area of seventeen (17) hectares, more or less.

Sec. 5. Kaparkan Falls Development Council. A multi-sectoral council shall be
created to be known as the “Kaparkan Falls Development Council”, herein referred to as the
Couneil. It shall be composed of the following members:

a. Representative from the Office of the Mayor of the Municipality of Tineg, as
Chairperson;


|
b. Head ofthe ‘Tineg Municipal Tourism Office;
c. Head of the Tineg Municipal Environment and Natural Resources Office;
4. A representative from the DOT;
eA ioeoee from the DENR;

f. Two (2) representatives from the indigenous peoples sector in the Municipality of
Tineg; and

g. Two (2) representatives from the private sector in the Province of Abra.

‘The term of office of the members of the Council shall be coterminous with the
incumbent as Mayor of Tineg.

The Provincial Government of Abra shall provide a secretariat for the Council
including the funding necessary to cover expenses for the performance of its official
functions and activities.

|
Sec. 6. Functions and Responsibilities of the Council. The Council shall have
the following functions:

a. Formulation and implementation of the Kaparkan Falls Development Plan, in
consuftation with the local residents, businesses and other stakeholders;

b. sment and evaluation of the potential impact of the development to the

environmental safety and well-being of the site, communities and enterprises;
c. Provision of technical and financial assistance to the communities within the site;

d. Formulation of rules and regulations in relation to the maintenance and security of
the ecotourism site; and,

e. Performance of other functions as may be necessary to carry out the objectives of this
Act.


Sec. 7. Annual Reports. Within sixty (60) days after each fiscal year, the DOT and the
DENR shall submit a report to both House of Congress with respect to the operation of the
ecotourism site. The report shall provide information on the total amount expended during
the fiscal year to carry out and achieve the purpose of this Act.

Sec. 8. Appropriations. The Secretaries of the DOT and the DENR shall include in
their respective Department's program the implementation of this Act, the funding of which
shall be included in the annual General Appropriations Act and from internally generated
funds of the DOT.

See. 9. Implementing Rules and Regulations. Within sixty (60) days after the effec-
tivity of this Act, the DOT, DENR, and the Tourism Infrastructure and Enterprise Zone Au-
thority, in coordination with the Municipality of Tineg, shall promulgate the necessary rules
and regulations for the proper implementation of this Act.

‘The DOT and the DENR shall be jointly tasked to coordinate and monitor the proper
implementation of this Act.

Sec. 10. Separability Clause. If any provision of this Act is declared unconstitution-
al or invalid, the other provisions not affected by such declaration shall remain in full force
and effect.

Sec, 11. Repealing Clause. All laws, decrees, ordinances, executive orders, issuances
or parts thereof, inconsistent with any provision of this Act are hereby deemed amended,
repealed or modified accordingly.

See. 12. Effectivity Clause. This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after its publi-
cation in the Official Gazette or in a newspaper of general circulation.

Approved,