Republic of the Philippines 
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES 
Quezon City, Metro Manila 
          NINETEENTH CONGRESS 
First Regular Session 
HOUSE BILL NO. ______________ 
_____________________________________________________________________________________ 
 Introduced by Rep. Wilfrido Mark M. Enverga 
 __________________________________________________________________________________________________________ 
       EXPLANATORY NOTE 
Tourism plays a significant role in the social, economic, cultural and environmental 
development of society.  It contributes to sustainable development of the country. It 
creates jobs and opportunity for people to increase their income and improve their living 
conditions.  Today, tourism industry is one of the world’s fastest growing economic 
sectors and largest employer of manpower of the country. 
Republic Act No. 9593 otherwise known as “The Tourism Act of 2009” declares tourism 
as an indispensable element of the national economy and an industry of national interest 
and importance, which must be harnessed as an engine of socio-economic growth and 
cultural affirmation to generate investment, foreign exchange and employment, and to 
continue to mold an enhanced sense of national pride for all Filipinos.  
Polillo Group of islands (POGI as commonly used by its inhabitants) lies on the southeast 
part of Luzon in the province of Quezon. It is a cluster of 27 islands and islets including 
Balesin Island. Sorrounded by seas, Lamon bay on the south and west and the vast Pacific 
Ocean on the east, it has 5 towns and its main island- the Polillo Main Island, is the biggest 
island (approximately 29 km from the mainland of Luzon) comprising the towns of 
Polillo, Burdeos and Panukulan, while Jomalig and Patnanungan are also two separate 
major islands. 
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Polillo Main Island, consisting of coastal municipalities of Polillo, Burdeos and Panukulan 
are holiday paradise in the Pacific Ocean, has remained largely untouched by tourism to 
this day. In between these municipalities are various existing and potential beach resorts 
notably, Treasure Island in Panukulan and Isla Polillo and more than a dozen resorts. Not 
to mention the famous Balesin Island Resort and the Minasawa Game Refuge and Bird 
Sanctuary an islet where threatened birds live and thrive.  Apart from white sands that 
stretch as far as the eye can see; it has 25,000-hectare coral reefs found in Polillo town 
alone. With a rich marine life to boot, these islands are the perfect venue for snorkeling 
and diving. 
 
Burdeos, Quezon on the other hand is a place to be for a taste of history. Traditional  
customs that have been practiced since pre-Spanish times are still observed to this               
day, making it an interesting place to visit during festivals. Burdeos has a natural charm 
with incomparable hospitality that everyone who visits the island would make a promise 
to return. Other well-known destination of Burdeos,  Binunbunan Island is the most 
preferred camping site because of it proximity to Brgy. San Rafael.  Visiting other islets 
like Anilon Island and Anawan Island are also worth mentioning. Finally in the 
Patnanungan border one can visit Malaguinoan, Chuvak and Tikling Islands. 
 
Another well-known destination within Burdeos is the Isla Puting Bato, you can choose to 
explore the 7 caves or admire the limestone cliff formations. Pulong Buhangin/Luli 
Sandbar is also nearby so it can also be reached as well.  
 
In Panukulan, also located at the main island of Polillo, has some named tourist spots with 
historical importance such as the panoramic view at Hook Bay and Pinagbanderahan. 
Both are worth visiting as well. Fish sanctuaries and Bakawan (Mangroves) are some of 
the wonders the town and its areas can offer. 
 
Patnanungan, Quezon is another main island in Polillo Group of Islands. It has also a long 
coastline of beaches, Pulang Lupa and Leira’s Beach are the places worth visiting. 
 


In the near future, major land development company will built a gateway resort to 
exclusive Balisin Island Resort with hotels, recreational facilities and airport of 
international standards. 
 
Jomalig, the farthest island, is also a tourism destination area. There is Salibungot Beach 
and Canaway Rock islets are the main attractive spots. Canaway Rock Islets, the second 
most visited site in Jomalig. Located in the shallow bluegreen seawater, it is composed of 
three rock islets that is used as a habitat of various species of marine animals such as the 
hermit crabs and sea snails. 
 
Mauban, Quezon while not included in the Polillo Group of Islands is likewise tourism 
potential across the aforementioned group of islands.  
 
Recognized by the Department of Tourism as tourism area, Mauban is a first class 
municipality with a natural scenic view, hospitable people and delectable foods. 
 
Famous in Mauban is the Cagbalete Island. The island is mystical and is famous for its 
long seashore during low tide. It is located at Lamon Bay, Mauban and is often compared 
to Boracay Island of Aklan as it has tranquil turquoise waters and fine white sands that 
can only be reached via boat ride.  There are other numerous beaches and tourism 
destination in Mauban noteworthy to be visited and explored. 
 
This bill seeks to commence the development and promotion of the tourism potentials of 
the Polillo Group of Islands and Mauban, Quezon (POGI+Mauban) by declaring it as a 
tourism zone. Through this, heightened economic activities will happen and the people 
will benefit and the development of the islands will be achieved. 
                     
In view of the foregoing, approval of this bill is hereby being earnestly sought. 
           
 
 
                                                                                       
 
                                                             WILFRIDO MARK M. ENVERGA 


Republic of the Philippines 
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES 
Quezon City, Metro Manila 
          NINETEENTH CONGRESS 
First Regular Session 
HOUSE BILL NO. ______________ 
_____________________________________________________________________________________ 
 Introduced by Rep. Wilfrido Mark M. Enverga 
  ___________________________________________________________________________________________________________ 
AN ACT DECLARING POLILLO GROUP OF ISLANDS 
AND THE MUNICIPALITY OF MAUBAN IN THE  
PROVINCE OF QUEZON A TOURISM ZONE 
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the Philippines in 
Congress assembled: 
SECTION 1.   This Act hereby declares the Polillo Group of Islands of Polillo, Burdeos, 
Panukulan, Patnanungan and Jomalig and the Municipality of Mauban, all in the 
Province of Quezon as national tourism zone.     
SECTION 2.  The Department of Tourism (DOT), in coordination with the Tourism
Infrastructure and Enterprise Zone Authority (TIEZA) and other concerned agencies 
of the government, shall, within one (1) year after the approval of this Act, prepare the 
development plan involving the construction, installation and/or maintenance of such 
appropriate facilities and infrastructure which shall enhance tourism in the said group 
of islands; Provided, That said development shall  ensure the preservation, protection 
and enhancement of the natural features, historic significance and cultural heritage of 
the tourism zone, while providing sustainable economic opportunities for the local 
community. 
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SECTION 3.  The Department of Tourism (DOT) shall take immediate steps to 
implement the said development plan and incorporate the same in the Department’s 
overall tourism development program for the ensuing calendar year.  
SECTION 4.    The Department of Tourism (DOT) and its attached agencies may   
provide necessary technical and financial assistance for the development of tourism 
infrastructure and skills development in the local government while endeavoring, 
when practicable, to promote the tourism zones both locally and internationally. 
 SECTION 5. The Department of Tourism (DOT) and the concerned local government 
units shall create a forum by which the private sector, nongovernment organizations 
and other interest groups, can interact with one another and the government to 
create an atmosphere that shall encourage investment, and the development of a 
culture of tourism.  
SECTION  6.   The Department of Tourism (DOT) shall likewise promulgate the 
necessary rules and regulations for the proper implementation of this Act.  
SECTION   7.     This Act shall take effect after fifteen (15) days of completion of its 
publication.   
 
Approved,