Republic of the Philippines 
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES 
Quezon City 
NINETEENTH CONGRESS 
First Regular Session 
House Bill No. _____ 
Introduced by Representative SOLOMON R. CHUNGALAO 
EXPLANATORY NOTE 
This house measure was originally filed as House Bill No. 8200 in the 18th 
Congress. It was then approved by the House on January 20, 2021 and was 
transmitted to Senate on January 25 of the same year. This bill seeks to declare 
Mt. Kitumman in barangay Tunggod, municipality of Lagawe, in the province of 
Ifugao, as an ecotourism destination.  
Mt. Kitumman, to which the historical Bintacan Cave is situtated, is located 
at the boundary of the municipalities of Lagawe and Kiangan in the province of 
Ifugao along side the Ibulao River. It is a common knowledge to locals that during 
the 2nd World War, Mt. Kitumman served as the watch tower of the Japanese 
Imperial Army since it was a strategic place to overlook crucial areas and to 
monitor activities of their enemy. Soldiers took refuge at the Bintacan Cave where 
they dwelled and stored military ammunition. Today, military debris from broken 
Japanese pots are still present on the vicinity of the cave including a figure of a 
snake carved out on the ceiling of the cave entrance.  
The approval of this house measure not only attracts local and foreign 
tourists but also gives high regards to the historical experiences of the people in 
the province of Ifugao during the Japanese occupation in the country. With its 
enhancement brought by its ecotourism destination status, Mt. Kitumman shall 
boost the tourism industry of Ifugao, considering the fact that the province is also 
the home of the famous rice terraces, hence, provide a significant contribution to 
improve the local economy of Ifugao. 
In view of the foregoing, approval of this bill is earnestly sought. 
ATTY. SOLOMON R. CHUNGALAO 
July 13, 2022
3:22 pm
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Republic of the Philippines 
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES 
Quezon City 
NINETEENTH CONGRESS 
First Regular Session 
House Bill No. _____ 
Introduced by Representative SOLOMON R. CHUNGALAO 
AN ACT 
DECLARING MT. KITUMMAN LOCATED IN BARANGAY TUNGNGOD IN THE 
MUNICIPALITY OF LAGAWE, PROVINCE OF IFUGAO, AN ECOTOURISM 
DESTINATION, AND APPROPRIATING FUNDS THEREFOR 
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the Philippines in Congress 
assembled: 
SECTION 1. Mount Kitumman located in Barangay Tungngod in the Municipality of 
Lagawe, Province of Ifugao, where the historical Bintacan Cave is located, is hereby declared 
an ecotourism destination. As such, its development shall be prioritized by the Department of 
Tourism (DOT), subject to the rules and regulations governing the development of ecotourism 
destinations. 
SEC. 2.  Within six (6) months after the approval of this Act, the DOT, in coordination 
with the Tourism Infrastructure and Enterprise Zone Authority and other concerned agencies 
of the government, shall prepare a tourism development plan including the construction, 
installation and maintenance of such appropriate facilities and infrastructure that shall enhance 
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tourism in the area: Provided, That said development plan shall ensure the preservation of the 
natural beauty and historical significance of the area. 
SEC. 3.  The DOT, in coordination with the Department of Public Works and 
Highways, Department of Environment and Natural Resources and concerned local 
government units, shall take immediate steps to implement the tourism development plan and 
incorporate the same in its tourism development program for the ensuing calendar year. 
SEC. 4. The Secretary of the DOT shall include in the 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. 
SEC. 5.  Within sixty (60) days from the effectivity of this Act, the Secretary of the 
DOT shall promulgate the necessary rules and regulations for its proper implementation. 
SEC. 6.  All laws, rules, regulations, executive orders, presidential decrees and other 
issuances inconsistent with any of the provisions of this Act are hereby deemed repealed or 
amended accordingly.  
 
SEC. 7.  This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after its publication in the Official 
Gazette or in a newspaper of general circulation.  
 
Approved,