Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVE:
Quezon City

Eighteenth Congress
First Regular Session

6319
HOUSE BILL NO. ___

Introduced by Representative JAKE VINCENT S. VILLA

AN ACT
AMENDING SECTIONS 443, 454, AND 463 OF REPUBLIC ACT NO. 7160
OTHERWISE KNOWN AS THE “LOCAL GOVRNMENT CODE OF 1991”

EXPLANATORY NOTE

Tourism is an integral part of the Philippine economy. According to the World Travel
and Tourism Council (“WTIC”) the Philippine travel and tourism industry contributed
a total of P1.43 trillion to the local economy which is equivalent to 10.6 percent of the
country’s gross domestic product in 2015. These figures are still expected to rise and
create remarkable quantity of employment opportunities. Thus calls for the need to
fortify the tourism safeguards provided by Republic Act No. 9593, otherwise known
as the “Tourism Act of 2009”,

Section 42 of Republic Act No. 9593 provides Tourism Officers — Every province,
city or municipality in which tourism is a significant industry shall have a permanent
position for a tourism officer. However, the local government units where tourism is a
booming industry falls short of permanent positions for tourism officers. Furthermore,
Republic Act No. 7160, otherwise known as the “Local Government Code of 1991”
does not include the provision of permanent positions of tourism officers in its
exclusive list of officers for every local government unit.

Without a specific amendatory clause in the Tourism Act of 2009, local government
units fail to establish permanent positions for tourism officers in said local
government units. The lack of a permanent and dedicated tourism officers has a
detrimental impact on the planning aspect of tourism and even tourism in general in
the concerned local government units. As the local government units are in perfect
position to spearhead economic growth in their localities, tourism officers would in
tum serve as an important factor in increasing the influx of tourists in said localities in
furtherance of economic growth.

This proposed measure intends to address the issues by amending the pertinent
provisions of the Local Government Code of 1991 and ensure that permanent
Positions for tourism officers are provided in order to strengthen and promote the
growth of tourism industry in the country.


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


Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Quezon City

Eighteenth Congress
First Regular Session

HOUSE BILL, nG318

Introduced by Representative JAKE VINCENT S. VILLA

AN ACT
AMENDING SECTIONS 443, 454, AND 463 OF REPUBLIC ACT NO. 7160
OTHERWISE KNOWN AS THE “LOCAL GOVRNMENT CODE OF 1991”

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

SECTION 1. Sections 443 of the Republic Act No. 7160, otherwise known as the
“Local Government Code of 1991” is hereby amended to read as follows:

Sec. 443. Officials of the Municipal Government.

(a) There shall be in each municipality a municipal mayor, a municipal
vice mayor, Sangguniang Bayan members, a secretary to the
Sangguniang Bayan, a municipal treasurer, a municipal assessor, a
municipal accountant, a municipal budget officer, a municipal
engineer/building officer, and municipal civil registrar.

In municipalities where tourism is a significant industry, a Tourism
Officer shall also be appointed, in accordance with the qualifications set
forth in Republic Act No. 9593, otherwise known as the “Tourism Act of
2009.”

SECTION 2. Sections 454 of the Local Government Code of 1991 is hereby amended
to read as follows:

Sec. 454, Officials of the City Government.

(a) There shall be in each a city mayor, vice mayor, Sangguniang
Panlungsod members, a secretary to the Sangguniang Panlungsod, a city
treasurer, a city assessor, a city accountant, a city budget officer, a city
planning and development coordinator, a city engineer, a city health
officer, a city civil registrar, a city administrator, a city legal officer, a


city veterinarian, a city social welfare and development officer, and a city
general services officer.

In Cities where tourism is a significant industry, a Tourism Officer shall
also be appointed, in accordance with the qualifications set forth in
Republic Act No. 9593, otherwise known as the “Tourism Act of 2009.”

SECTION 3. Sections 463 of the Local Government Code 1991 is hereby amended
read as follows:

Sec 463. Officials of the Provincial Government.

(a) There shall be in each provincial governor, a vice governor, members
of the Sangguniang Panlalawigan, a secretary to the Sangguniang
Panlalawigan, a provincial treasurer, a provincial assessor, a provincial
accountant, a provincial engineer, a provincial budget officer, a
provincial planning and development coordinator, a provincial legal
officer, a provincial administrator, a provincial health officer, a
provincial social welfare and development officer, a provincial general
services officer, a provincial agriculturist, and a provincial veterinarian.

In Provinces where tourism is a significant industry, a Tourism Officer
shall also be appointed, in accordance with the qualifications set forth in
Republic Act No, 9593, otherwise known as the “Tourism Act of 2009.”

SECTION 4. Implementing Agency. The Department of the Interior and Local
Governance (DILG) in coordination with the Department of Tourism (DOT) shall
promulgate the rules and regulations necessary to implement the provisions of this
Act.

SECTION 5. Repealing Clause. All laws, presidential decrees, executive orders, rules
and regulations, or portions thereof, inconsistent with this Act are hereby repealed or
modified accordingly.

SECTION 6. Separability Clause. If any part of provision of this Act shall be held
unconstitutional or invalid, other provisions hereof which are not affected thereby
shall continue to be full force and effect.

SECTION 7. Effectivity. This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after its
publication in the Official Gazette or in two (2) newspaper of general circulation.

Approved,