Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE 0F REPRESENTATIVES
Quezon City
NINETEENTTI CONGRESS
Second Regular Session
HOUSEBILLNo.9012
Introduced by:
REP. HARRIS CHRISTOPHER M. ONGCHUAN
EXPLANATORY NOTE
The State guarantees its principle in providing for a balanced and healthful ecology.
With it is the responsibility to take care and preserve the environment. This measure
seeks to promote and preserve the Batag Lighthouse while at the same time, develop
it to attract tourists and foster economic development in the area.
The Batag Lighthouse Station is a historic lighthouse in the municipality of Laoang.
It was built during the American Colonial Period, by virtue of Act No.1662 in 1907.
This comes after the proposal of then Director of Navigation, J.M. Helm, considering
that the San Bemardino Strait is considered as a gateway to Manila and other ports
in the Philippines.
Given  its  historical  and  cultural  significance,  it  became  a  provincial  historical
landmark in October 2008. It currently operates in one of the busiest waterways in
the Philippines, servicing ships that enter from the Pacific Ocean or transiting from
the San Bemardino Strait.  This act aims  to develop this historic site into a tourist
destination.
In coordination with the Department of Tourism and other concerned agencies, the
municipal government of Laoang will be given one year after the approval of this act
to prepare a tourism development plan. This plan will ensure that the area will have
suitable infrastructure in place for visitors and will guarantee the preservation of the
site' s historical significance.
With the development of a sound tourism plan, this measure seeks to also stimulate
economic  growth  and  prosperity  in  the  Municipality.  The  Province  of  Northern


Samar is working towards a province that is strong, happy, and resilient. And it is of
utmost importance that the progression of economic growth, and  preservation of
areas of cultural significance, are given harmonious importance.
In view of the foregoing, the immediate passage of this bill is eamestly sought.
M. ONGCHUAN


Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE 0F REPRESENTATIVES
Quezon City
NINETEENTH CONGRESS
Second Regular Session
1'.i
H6UsEB|LLNo.  9012
INTRODUCED BY REP. HARRIS CHRISTOPHER M. ONGCHUAN
AN ACT DECLARING THE BATAG LIGHTHOUSE STATION IN BARANGAY
MARUBAY, BATAG ISLAND, MUNICIPALITY 0F LAOANG, PROVINCE 0F
NORTHERN SAMAR, A TOURIST DESTINATION, PROVIDING FOR ITS
DEVELOPMENT, AND APPROPRIATING FUNDS THEREFOR
Be it enacted by the Senate and the House Of Rapresentatives of the Philippines in Congress
assembled:
SECTION   1.   The   Batag   Lighthouse   Station,   located   in   Barangay   Marubay,
Municipality of I.aoang, Province of Northern SaLmar, is hereby declared a tourism
destination. Pursuant thereto, its development shall be prioritized and supported by
the Department of Tourism (DOT), subject to the rules and regulations governing the
development of tourism destinations.
SEC. 2. Within one (1) year after the approval of this Act, the Municipal government
of  Laoang  shall,  in  coordination  with  the  DOT  and  concerned  agencies  of  the
government, prepare a tourism development plan that shall include the construction,
installation  and  maintenance  of  such  appropriate  infrastructure  and  facilities  to
enhance tourism in the area: P7iotJz.did, That said development plan shall ensure the
preservation  of  the  historical  significance  of  the  area:  Prouz.did, rtyrfher,  That  the
implementation  of  the  tourism  development  plan  shall  be  also  form part of the
budget of the Municipal government of I.aoang.
SEC.   3.   The   DOT   shall   assist  the   Municipal   government  of  Laoang  in  the
implementation of the tourism development plan by providing technical assistance
in tourism capacity building. It shall also include the Batag Lighthouse in its national
and regional promotion programs.


SEC.  4.  The  Secretary  of  Tourism  shall  also  include  in  the  DOT's  program  the
implementation of this Act, the funding of which shall be included in the armual
General Appropriations Act and from intemally generated funds of the DOT.
SEC.  5.  Within sixty  (60)  days from the  effectivity  of this Act, the Department of
Tourism,  in  consultation  with  the  Municipality  of Laoang,  and  other  concerned
agencies,  shall  promulgate  the  necessary  rules  and  regulations  for  the  proper
implementation of this Act.
SEC.  6.  AIl  laws,  regulations,  proclamations,  executive  orders,  or  part  thereof,
inconsistent with this Act are hereby amended accordingly.
SEC. 7. This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after the publication in the O#cz.#Z
G#ze££c or in a newspaper of general circulation.
Approved,