Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Quezon City

Eighteenth Congress
First Regular Session

5
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INTRODUCED BY REPRESENTATIVE ISAGANI S. AMATONG

EXPLANATORY NOTE

This bill seeks to declare Situbo Falls in Barangay Situbo, Municipality
of Tampilisan, Province of Zamboanga del Norte, as a tourist destination.

Situbo Falls, a hidden gem of the province, is a majestic waterfall with a
drop of approximately one hundred (100) feet of cold water coming from the
hinterland of Godod. Its towering two-layer cascade flows into a deep basin
that reflects the thick growth of flora surrounding it. Besides its beauty, the
cool water of the falls is ideal for tourists wanting to dip or swim during the hot
season.

Declaring Situbo Falls as a tourist destination will not only preserve and
enhance its splendor but will also improve the quality of life of the residents of
the nearby areas due to additional revenues and employment opportunities
from tourism activities. In turn, this will uphold the policy of the State of
promoting a tourism industry that is “sustainable, cultural, ecological,
accountable, economically feasible, and ethically and socially equitable to all
its inhabiting populace”.

In view of the foregoing, the approval of this bill is earnestly sought.

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Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Quezon City

Eighteenth Congress
First Regular Session

5947
HOUSE BILL NO.

INTRODUCED BY REPRESENTATIVE ISAGANI S. AMATONG

AN ACT
DECLARING THE SITUBO FALLS IN THE MUNICIPALITY OF TAMPILISAN,
PROVINCE OF ZAMBOANGA DEL NORTE A TOURIST DESTINATION,
PROVIDING FOR ITS DEVELOPMENT
AND APPROPRIATING FUNDS THEREFOR

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

SECTION 1. The Situbo Falls in Barangay Situbo, Municipality of Tampilisan,
Province of Zamboanga del Norte is hereby declared a tourist destination. As
such, its development shall be prioritized by the Department of Tourism (DOT)

and shall be subject to the rules and regulations governing the development of
tourist destinations.

SEC. 2. Within one (1) year after the approval of this Act, the DOT, in
coordination with the concerned local government units and agencies of the
government, shall prepare a tourism development plan involving the
construction, installation, and maintenance of appropriate infrastructure and
facilities that shall enhance tourism in the area: Provided, That said
development plan shall ensure the preservation and conservation of the
natural beauty and resources of the area: Provided, further, That any activities
and developments to be carried out in the area should conform with the
concept of ecotourism as provided in the national ecotourism strategy jointly

issued by the Department of Environment and Natural Resources and the
DOT.

SEC. 3. The DOT and its concerned attached agencies shall take immediate
steps to implement the tourism development plan that will suit the natural
characteristics of Situbo Falls, and shall incorporate the same in its tourism
development program for the ensuing calendar year. It shall also inchide
Situbo Falls in all its national, regional, and local promotion programs.

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, in consuitation with the local government unit of Tampilisan, shall

promulgate the necessary rules and regulations for the proper implementation
of this Act.

SEC. 6. All laws, rules, regulations, proclamations, executive orders, or parts
thereof, inconsistent with this Act are hereby 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,