Republic of the Philippines 
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES 
Quezon City, Metro Manila 
NINETEENTH CONGRESS 
First Regular Session 
HOUSE BILL NO. ____ 
INTRODUCED BY REP. STEPHEN JAMES T. TAN 
EXPLANATORY NOTE 
The First District of Samar Province is endowed with places having potential for 
tourism such as springs, waterfalls, streams, lakes and other bodies of water, 
beaches, marine areas, mountains, forests, historical or cultural sites and other 
natural or man-made sites and attractions that may be of interest to tourists. In line 
with the Department of tourism’s continuous efforts to promote safe and responsible 
tourism in the Philippines, this proposed bill aims to establish tourism circuits in the 
First District of Samar Province that will help promote and maximize the economic 
potential of not just one but all the identified Tourism Development Areas therein. 
This bill also provides measures to ensure the conservation of the said Tourism 
Development Areas through the establishment of the Samar Tourism Council, Samar 
Tourism Development Plan and the Samar Tourism Development Trust Fund.  
The establishment of Tourism Circuits under this proposed bill will help give 
emphasis to the inter-relationship among the cities and municipalities within the 
Province of Samar that are part of the same destination. These tourism circuits will 
create a tourism value chain among the municipalities and cities concerned. 
Moreover, these tourism circuits will help increase the volume of visitors in all the 
tourist destinations in the Province of Samar since it collectively promotes all these 
tourist destinations. 
The proposed bill will also help in the further growth and development of the 
tourism destinations in the Province of Samar in line with their declaration as Tourism 
Development Areas (TDA).  
In view of the foregoing, approval of this bill is earnestly sought. 
STEPHEN JAMES T. TAN 
October 26, 2022
12:00 pm
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Republic of the Philippines 
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES 
Quezon City, Metro Manila 
NINETEENTH CONGRESS 
First Regular Session 
HOUSE BILL NO. ____ 
INTRODUCED BY REP. STEPHEN JAMES T. TAN 
AN ACT ESTABLISHING TOURISM CIRCUITS IN THE FIRST DISTRICT OF SAMAR, 
IDENTIFYING AND DECLARING THE TOURISM DEVELOPMENT AREAS THEREIN, 
CREATING THE SAMAR PROVINCE TOURISM COUNCIL AND APPROPRIATING 
FUNDS THEREFORE  
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 “First District of Samar Province 
Tourism Circuit Act” 
SECTION 2. Declaration of Policy. - It is hereby declared the policy of the State to promote 
a tourism industry that is ecologically sustainable, responsible, participative, culturally 
sensitive, economically viable and equitable for local communities. To this end, the State 
shall endeavor to provide the proper mechanisms and infrastructures for sustainable 
tourism development. It shall promote and develop certain areas and sites identified as 
tourist destinations or attractions or having potential for tourism to drive and propel 
inclusive growth throughout the country.  
SECTION 3. Definition of terms. - The words, language and expression found in this Act 
shall be interpreted in accordance with their usual meaning and usage, in such a manner 
that would most accurately depict the legislative intent. 
a)
Service centers - areas near or within attraction sites where there is concentration of
tourism establishments
b)
Tourism Circuit - a cluster of tourism attractions within a geographic area, grouped
together for marketing purposes. These attractions include a variety of travel
experiences, including nature, farm, culinary, beach, and dive tourism. Tourism
circuits can either be inter-regional or intra-regional.
c)
Tourism Development Area - an area representing a functional and sustainable unit
with tourism infrastructure, which ensures an efficient use of resources and an
improvement in tourism development
d)
Tourist Destination - natural, cultural, or historical sites that tourists visit.
SECTION 4. Tourism Circuits. There shall be tourism circuits passing through the first 
district of Samar Province to the end that a tourist who enters at the entry point should 
get motivated to visit all the places identified on the circuit.  
For purposes of this act, a tourism circuit shall consist of a route on which at least 
three (3) tourist destinations included in the Tourism Development Area mentioned in this 
Act, which none of these are in the same municipalities or cities. Provided, that the tourist 
destination shall not be separated by a large distance. Provided further, that the tourism 
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circuit shall have a well-defined entry and exit points such that a tourist could cover them 
in a sequence. Provided lastly, that there should be at least one service center within the 
circuit.  
Accordingly, the following tourism circuits in the first district of Samar are hereby 
established: 
a.) Calbayog – Sta. Margarita – Gandara – Catbalogan – Tacloban (Secret Kitchens 
of Samar)  
b.) Samar Island Natural Park (SINP) Circuit (Philippine Eagle Trail) 
c.) Calbayog Eco-Historical Circuit (Malajog zipline/Bangon Falls/City Historical 
Tours) 
d.) Island Municipalities of Samar Circuit (Daram, Zumarraga, Sto. Niño, Tagapulan,  
Almagro) 
Pursuant thereto, the Department of Tourism in coordination with the concerned Local 
Government are hereby given the authority to determine the appropriate tourism circuits 
in the first district of Samar Province subject to the above provided requisites. 
SECTION 5. Tourism Development Area. - The following tourist destination areas located 
within the first district of Samar endowed with natural, historical and cultural beauty shall 
be included in the First District of Samar Province Tourism Development Area and are 
thus developed as tourist destinations therein: 
a. 
Spanish-Built School House, Calbayog City, Samar; 
b. 
CKC Samar Archaeological Museum, Calbayog City, Samar;  
c. 
Malajog Ridge Leisure Park and Zipline, Calbayog City, Samar; 
d. 
Looc beach, Calbayog City, Samar;  
e. 
Bangon False, Calbayog City, Samar; 
f. 
Tarangban Falls, Calbayog City, Samar;  
g. 
Guinogoan Cave, Calbayog City, Samar; 
h. 
Onayan Falls, Calbayog City, Samar; 
i. 
Busay Falls, Calbayog City, Samar; 
j. 
Cogon Falls, Calbayog City, Samar  
k. 
Danao Cave, Calbayog City, Samar; 
l. 
Danao Dam, Calbayog City, Samar; 
m. 
Ton-ok Falls, Calbayog City, Samar; 
n. 
Amamaliwan Falls, Calbayog City, Samar; 
o. 
Dawo Falls, Calbayog City, Samar; 
p. 
Caunpawa Cave, Calbayog City, Samar;  
q. 
Monastery of the Poor Claires, Calbayog City, Samar;  
r. 
Sts. Peter and Paul Cathedral, Calbayog City, Samar; 
 
 
Other areas in the First District of Samar Province that have potential for tourism 
such as springs, waterfalls, streams, lakes and other bodies of water, beaches, marine 
areas, mountains, forests, historical or cultural sites and other natural or man-made sites 
and attractions that may be of interest to tourists, shall be included among the tourist 
destination areas under this Act after consultation with the Department of Tourism (DOT) 
and the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR), the conduct of a 
survey and verification by the National Mapping and Resource Information Authority 
(NAMRIA) in coordination with the Provincial Government of Samar.  


 
Provided, that the Tourist Destinations identified in the abovementioned Tourism 
Development Area shall be the basis in the determination of Tourism Circuits mentioned 
in the immediately preceding section. 
 
 
SECTION 6. Samar Tourism Council. - (1) There is hereby created the Samar Tourism 
Council, hereinafter referred to as Council, which shall be the primary policy-making, 
planning and coordinating body in the development of tourism in the Province of Samar 
and the administration of tourism sites therein. The Council shall be composed of the 
following members: 
a) Provincial Governor of Samar, as Chairperson; 
b) Mayors from the municipalities and cities of the Province of Samar, who shall elect 
from among themselves the Council’s Vice Chairperson; 
c) One (1) Member from each district of the Sangguniang Panlalawigan of Samar, duly 
designated by among their respective Sanggunian district members; and 
d) Two (2) representatives from the private sector, appointed by the Chairperson of the 
Council, who shall serve for a period of three (3) years. 
 
The Council shall create such committees for every municipality or city within the 
first district of Samar and provide for the functions and the memberships thereof to assist 
it in the proper and effective performance of its functions.  
(2) In order to provide assistance and support to the Council in the performance of 
its function,  the concerned Local Government Unit (LGU),  in coordination with the 
Department of Tourism (DOT), Tourism Infrastructure and Enterprise Zone Authority 
(TIEZA), and Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR),  shall delineate 
well defined geographic areas within the tourism circuits and coordinate the integrated 
development of these sites for the optimum use of natural assets and attractions, as well 
as existing facilities: Provided, That said development plan shall ensure the preservation 
of the ecological balance and natural beauty of the area. 
The Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) and the Department of 
Transportation and Communications (DOTC), including the latter’s attached agencies, in 
coordination with the DOT and Council, shall prioritize the construction and improvement 
of the necessary infrastructure to support tourism development in the First District of 
Samar and incorporate in their annual infrastructure programs. 
SECTION 7. Functions of the Council. - The Council shall have the following functions: 
a) Assist in the regulation and supervision of tourism-oriented establishments which may 
include but is not limited to those establishments operated by People’s Organizations 
(PO) and other similar organizations, thereby ensuring wholesome and clean tourism 
activities; 
b) Formulate programs and manage local resources and funds to develop local tourism 
facilities and attractions; 
c) Assist in monitoring the implementation of the Local Government Code on the matter 
of licensing of tourism establishments in the locality to ascertain safe and enjoyable 
stay of travelers; 
d) Perform any other duties in accordance with the guidelines issued by the Department 
of Interior and Local Government, as well as the implementing rules and regulations 
which shall be promulgated in accordance with this Act. 
 


SECTION 8. Tourism Development Plan. - The Tourism Development Plan of the First 
District of Samar Province shall be incorporated in the Department of Tourism’s (DOT) 
overall National Tourism Development Plan (NTDP) and be jointly implemented with the 
Local Government and Provincial Tourism Council of Samar Province taking into 
consideration Republic Act No. 7586, otherwise known as “National Integrated Protected 
Areas System Act of 1992”, and its implementing rules and regulations. 
SECTION 9. Tourism Development Trust Fund.  There is hereby established a trust fund 
under this Act to be known as the Samar Province Tourism Development Trust Fund for 
purposes of financing projects which shall enhance tourism in the First District of Samar 
Province. The Trust Fund shall be administered by a Trust Fund Administrator under the 
Provincial Tourism Council of Samar Province.  
 
Income shall be derived from fees from visitors/tourists, fees from permitted sale 
and export of flora and fauna and other resources from the province, proceeds from the 
registration and lease of multiple-use areas, including tourism concessions, fees, 
proceeds, and contributions from industries and facilities directly benefiting the province. 
The respective committees created by the Tourism Council for every city or municipality 
within the First district of Samar will be solely responsible for the collection of the 
aforementioned fees. 
The Trust Fund may be augmented by grants and donations, endowment from 
various sources, domestic or foreign entities and individuals, for purposes related to their 
functions: Provided, That disbursements therefrom shall be in accordance with existing 
accounting and auditing rules and regulations: Provided, further, that the Trust Fund shall 
not be used to cover personal services expenditures. 
SECTION 10. Appropriations. - The DOT, DENR, DPWH, DOTC, and LGU shall include 
in its Annual Investment Program (AIP) the implementation of this Act, the funding of 
which shall be included in the annual General Appropriations Act. 
SECTION 11. Implementing Rules and Regulations. - The Samar Tourism Council, after 
due consultation with the DOT, DENR, DPWH, DOTC, LGUs, and other stakeholders, 
shall promulgate the rules and regulations for the proper implementation of this Act within 
sixty (60) days after its effectivity. Provided, That the law shall take effect after sixty (60) 
days with or without the IRR. 
SECTION 12. Separability Clause. - If any provision of this Act is declared 
unconstitutional, the other provisions not affected thereby shall remain in full force and 
effect.  
SECTION 13. Repealing Clause. - All laws, presidential decrees, executive orders, and 
issuances, proclamations, rules and regulations, and other issuances contrary to or 
inconsistent with the provisions of this Act shall be deemed amended accordingly. 
SECTION 14. Effectivity. - This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after its complete 
publication in the Official Gazette or in a national newspaper of general circulation. 
Approved,