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

Sixteenth Congress
First Regular Session

HOUSE BILL NO. 687

Introduced by: Honorable GEORGE P. ARNAIZ

EXPLANATORY NOTE

This bill seeks to declare the Twin Lakes of Balinsasayao and
Danao, situated at the Municipality of Sibulan, Province of Oriental
Negros, as tourist spots.

The Twin Lakes are two (2) small deep freshwater lakes rising at
1,000 meters above sea level and separated by a narrow mountain
ridge, situated in a hollow between four (4) mountains, Lake
Balinsasayao to the East and Lake Danao to the Southeast.

The Twin Lakes is one of the major tourist attractions in the
Province and is a protected natural park, which is home to an
expensive ecosystem and biodiversity. The lake has a rich fish fauna,
including a number of fish species and the surrounding dipterocarp
forests are rich in bird life.

The lake is teeming with fish, making it an ideal fishing ground.
The calm and cool water also make it perfect for swimming, boating
and kayaking or just sitting under one of the small huts to take in the
view and the fresh mountain air.

While the tourism potential in the area has been tapped for
several years both by local, and national, and international tourists, it is
the intention of this bill to further improve tourism in the locality by
establishing the Twin Lakes as a tourist destination area.

While tourism development needs to be planned along
sustainable principles for a long term survival of the resources, this bill
mandates the preparation of a comprehensive development plan
involving the construction, rehabilitation and installation of appropriate
and nature-friendly facilities not only to upgrade the Twin Lakes as a


tourist destination, but also to ensure the protection, conservation, and
improvement of the natural resources surrounding the Twin Lakes.

In view of the policy of the State to promote and maximize the
contribution of tourism as a means for economic development, early
approval of this bill is earnestly sought.

GEQRGE P. ARNAIZ
epresentative
2r4 District, Oriental Negros


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

Sixteenth Congress
First Regular Session

HOUSE BILL NO. 687

Introduced by: Honorable GEORGE P. ARNAIZ

AN ACT
DECLARING THE TWIN LAKES OF BALINSASAYAO AND DANAO LOCATED
IN THE MUNICIPALITY OF SIBULAN, PROVINCE OF ORIENTAL NEGROS AS
TOURIST SPOTS, PROVIDING FOR ITS DEVELOPMENT AND APPROPRIATING
FUNDS THEREFOR.

Be it enacted by tt nate and the H« of Re ntative f the
Philippin Ingres mbled:

SECTION 1. The Twin Lakes of Balinsasayao and Danao are hereby
declared tourist spots. As such it shall be accorded with priority
development by the Department of Tourism (DOT) and shall be subject
to the rules and regulations governing the development of tourist spots.

SECTION 2. The Department of Tourism, in accordance with the local
government units, the Representative of the Second Congressional
District and other concemed agencies of the government shall, within
‘one (I) year after the approval of this Act, prepare a development
plan involving the construction, installation and maintenance of such
appropriate facilities and infrastructure as shall enhance tourism in the
area; Provided, That said development plan shall ensure the
preservation and conservation of the natural resources of the area.

SECTION 3. The Department of Tourism shall take immediate steps in
implementing the tourism development plan that will suit the natural
characteristic of the Twin Lakes and shall incorporate the same in its
overall development plans and programs for national implementation.

SECTION 4. It shall also be the responsibility of the DOT to promote the
Twin Lakes as tourism areas in all its national, regional and local
promotion programs.


SECTION 5. The DOT shall promulgate the necessary rules and
regulations for proper implementation of this Act.

SECTION 6. The Secretary of the Department of Tourism shall include in
the Department's program the implementation of this Act, the funding
of which shall be charged agains! the internally generated funds of the
Philippine Tourism Authority and/or the appropriations in the Annual
General Appropriations Act.

SECTION 7. All laws, rules, regulations, proclamations, executive orders
or parts thereof inconsistent with this Act, are hereby amended
accordingly.

SECTION 8. This act shall take effect upon its approval.

Approved,