Republic of the Philippines 
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES 
Quezon City, Metro Manila 
Nineteenth Congress 
First Regular Session 
HOUSE BILL NO. ___ 
Introduced by HON. MUJIV S. HATAMAN of the Lone District of Basilan 
EXPLANATORY NOTE 
This bill seeks to declare Malamawi Island in the City of Isabela, Province 
of Basilan, an ecotourism zone. 
Malamawi Island is a small island in the Province of Basilan, with a long 
stretch of white sandy beach on its northern coast.  It is one kilometer away from 
the City of Isabela, Province of Basilan. The island has an exotic appeal, idyllic 
natural beauty and serenity, and is home to indigenous communities with unique 
and colorful cultural heritage. Because of its crystal blue waters, refined white 
sand, breathtaking sceneries, and wonderful people, Malamawi Island has drawn 
tourists and visitors making this part of Basilan a jewel of its tourism industry. 
Cognizant of its importance to the overall development of Isabela City and 
Basilan Province as a whole, the local government unit has poured programs and 
projects to the island and its communities to bolster its capacity to accommodate 
visitors and improve the lives of its people, and enrich visitor and tourist 
experience.   
November 22, 2022
2:09 pm
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Most importantly, beyond drawing more guests and visitors, the move to 
declare Malamawi Island an eco-tourism zone will elevate the promotion and 
implementation of a sustainable tourism industry, one that will benefit not only 
foster economic development, but also the development and protection of its 
cultural and environmental significance. 
In view of the foregoing, approval of this bill is earnestly sought. 
HON. MUJIV S. HATAMAN 
Representative 
Lone District of Basilan 


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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 HON. MUJIV S. HATAMAN of the Lone District of Basilan 
AN ACT 
DECLARING MALAMAWI ISLAND IN THE CITY OF ISABELA, 
PROVINCE 
OF 
BASILAN, 
AN 
ECOTOURISM 
ZONE 
AND 
APPROPRIATING FUNDS THEREFOR 
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the Philippines in 
Congress assembled: 
SECTION 1.  The Malamawi Island, in the City of Isabela, Province of 
Basilan is hereby declared an ecotourism zone.  Its development shall be 
prioritized by the Department of Tourism (DOT), subject to the rules and 
regulations governing the development of ecotourism zones. 
SEC. 2.  Within one (1) year after the approval of this Act, the DOT shall, 
in coordination with the local government units of the City of Isabela, Province 
of Basilan, and agencies of the government, prepare a tourism development plan 
involving the construction, installation, and maintenance of appropriate 
infrastructure and facilities that shall encourage tourism in the area:  Provided, 
That said development plan shall ensure the preservation and conservation of the 
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natural beauty and resources of the area:  Provided, further, That any activities 
and development 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 (DENR) and the DOT. 
 
SEC. 3.  The DOT and its attached agencies shall take immediate steps to 
implement the tourism development plan that suits the natural characteristics of 
Malamawi Island, and shall incorporate the same in its tourism development 
program for the ensuing calendar year.  It shall also include Malamawi Island in 
all its national, regional, and local promotion programs. 
 
SEC. 4.  The Secretary of Tourism shall include in the DOT’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 Tourism shall, in consultation with the local government of the City 
of Isabela, Province of Basilan, promulgate the necessary rules and regulations 
for the proper implementation of this Act. 
 
 


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SEC. 6.  All laws, rules, regulations, 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,