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Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Quezon City, Metro Manila

EIGHTEENTH CONGRESS
Second Regular Session

7329

HOUSE BILL NO.

Introduced by ANG PROBINSYANO
Party-List Representative Alfred Delos Santos

EXPLANATORY NOTE

Climate change is a reality that the world faces at this time. The nations are
confronted with a challenging task to hopefully make policy changes that are significant
enough to reduce its effects before it’s too late.

From this issue comes the importance of introducing necessary adjustments to
our policy approaches, especially in tourism. Industries involved in tourism often
consume one of the largest number of gigawatt hours of electricity, petroleum, and other
fuel products. In addition, with the peculiar nature of the industry being mainly focused
on exploring scenery, drastic degeneration of the same may result if proper regulation
does not take place.

The Philippines, which is an archipelagic state, has been boasted as having one
of the best beaches and natural resources not only in the continent, but in the world.
However, it is also a reality that there have been instances where our natural resources
were exploited in the name of tourism. Recently, Boracay Island has been rehabilitated
to bring it back to its former beauty. If action is not done, it is possible that we will soon
face a myriad of problems in our tourist spots that would take much more resources to
repair than when it is taken care of in the first place.

Hence, it is of utmost necessity that a law institutionalizing sustainable approaches to
tourism be passed. Through this legislation, our government agencies will be mandated
and empowered to take policy measures that align with the concept of sustainable
tourism and development which takes a holistic and futuristic view at tourism. Not only
will this benefit us economically by preventing us from spending more for repairs; but
it is also our duty to the next generations to protect our archipelago so they can still
witness its beauty during their time. It is for these reasons that the passage of this bill

is earnestly sought.

ALFRED C. DELOS SANTOS
Representative, Ang Probinsyano Partylist


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Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Quezon City, Metro Manila

EIGHTEENTH CONGRESS
Second Regular Session

HOUSE BILL No. _7329

Introduced by ANG PROBINSYANO
Party-List Representative Alfred Delos Santos

AN ACT
INSTITUTIONALIZING SUSTAINABLE TOURISM BY PROVIDING
STRENGTHENING MEASURES THEREFOR

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

SECTION 1. Short Title. - This Act shall be known as the “Sustainable
Tourism Act of 2020.”

SECTION 2. Declaration of Policy. - It is the policy of the State to protect
and advance the right of the people to a balanced and healthful ecology in accord
with the rhythm and harmony of nature. In addition, the State shall protect the
nations marine wealth in its archipelagic waters, territorial sea, and exclusive
economic zone, and protect, develop, and conserve these natural resources.

SECTION 3. Definition of Terms. - As used in this Act:

a) "Sustainable Tourism” refers to an approach to tourism that
reconciles tourism with environmental sustainability.

SECTION 4. Scope. - This Act shall apply to all coastal and marine areas,
addressing the inter-linkages among associated watersheds, estuaries, wetlands,
and coastal areas by all relevant national and local agencies.

SECTION 5. Roles and Responsibilities. — All concerned national agencies
shall support the implementation of this Act and promote best practices that fall
within their respective mandates. The following shall identify, prepare, and
provide policy guidance and technical resource assistance to the Department of
Environment and Natural Resources and the Local Government Units in the
implementation of this Act on a national and local scale:


a) The Department of Tourism shall provide technical and financial
assistance in marketing, promoting, and developing sustainable
coastal tourism projects.

b) The Department of Interior and Local Government shall take the lead
in partnering with Local Government Units in raising awareness and
promulgating policy measures in consonance with the sustainable
tourism approach.

c) The Department of Public Works and Highways shall ensure that all
infrastructure, whether public or private, be constructed and
maintained in an environmentally sustainable manner.

‘The Department of Environment and Natural Resources shall regularly
provide technical and financial assistance in monitoring the status of our natural
resources and shall provide measure to prevent degeneration of such.

‘The Local Government Units shall likewise, provide for measures to
strengthen sustainable tourism in their respective jurisdictions. They shall
formulate and effectively implement their respective sustainable tourism plans
to ensure the quality of the natural resources within their territory. These plans
shall be regularly updated to address the changes in the natural resources
thereof.

SECTION 6. Private Sector. - This Act shall also empower the private sector
in engaging and partnering with the government in acts that further improve the
sustainable tourism approach. Non-governmental organizations, civic
organizations, the academe, people’s organizations, and the like shall be tapped
by the government in providing assistance in the planning and execution of
sustainable tourism plans.

SECTION 7. Implementing Rules and Regulations. The Department of
Environment and Natural Resources, Department of Tourism, Department of
Interior and Local Government, and the Department Public Works and Highways
shall promulgate the implementing rules and regulations of this Act within
ninety (90) days from its effectivity.

SECTION 8. Reasonable Goals. - The national agencies concerned shall be
tasked to provide standards of measure by which the effect of the implementation
of sustainable tourism may be concretized. This shall include, but will not be
limited to:

a) Lower levels of chromophoric dissolved organic matter (CDOM) and
fluorescent dissolved organic matter (FDOM) in bodies of water


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b) Lack of excessive algal growth in ponds and lakes as measured using
algae toximeters

c) Low health risks based on Air Quality Health Index

d) Restoration into the wild of flora, fauna, and animals which are on the
verge of extinction

SECTION 9. Separability Clause. - If any provision or part of this Act is
held invalid or unconstitutional, the remaining provisions or parts unaffected
shall remain in full force and effect.

SECTION 10. Repealing Clause. - All laws, executive orders, presidential
decrees or issuances, letters of instruction, administrative orders, rules, and
regulations contrary to or inconsistent with the provisions of this Act are hereby
repealed, amended, or modified accordingly.

SECTION 11. Effectivity Clause. ~ This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days
after its publication in the Official Gazette or in a newspaper of general
circulation.

Approved,