ous
iS
ie}
=

Republic of the Philippines

House of Representatives
Quezon City, Metro Manila

DATE O6 AUG r 5

Twentieth Congress
First Regular Session

HOUSE BILL NO. _3177

Introduced by Representative Arthur F. Celeste

EXPLANATORY NOTE

This bill seeks to declare the Hundred Islands National Park (HINP) in the
City of Alaminos, Pangasinan, a tourism zone under the administration,
management, maintenance, and operation of the City Government of Alaminos,
Pangasinan.

On January 18, 1940, President Manuel L. Quezon issued Presidential
Proclamation No. 667 declaring the group of islands in the Municipality [now
City] of Alaminos, Pangasinan, as “Hundred Islands National Park” (HINP) with
the astounding purpose of benefiting and providing enjoyment to the people of
the Philippines.

On June 22, 1962, President Diosdado P. Macapagal signed Republic Act
No. 3655, creating the Hundred Islands Conservation and Development Authority
(HICDA), for the conservation, development, and management of HINP.

In 1974, President Ferdinand E. Marcos transferred the management of
HINP, including Lucap Bay, from HICDA to the Philippine Tourism Authority
(PTA) under Presidential Decree No. 564.

On April 27, 1982, President Ferdinand E. Marcos issued Proclamation No.
2183, which declared the HINP, including Lucap Bay and its foreshore areas,
beginning from Sitio Telbang to the East of Sitio Recudo to the West as a Tourist
Zone and Marine Reserve under the control and administration of PTA.

On June 21, 2005, President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo issued Executive
Order No. 436, which transferred the administration, management, maintenance,


and operation from the PTA to the City Government of Alaminos, Pangasinan
pursuant to RA No. 7160, otherwise known as the Local Government Code of
1991, which encourages the transfer of power and authority from the National
Government to the Local Government Unit, in line with the government's
devolution program as mandated by the Constitution.

On September 29, 2005, the PTA formally turned over the administration,
management, maintenance, and operation of the HINP to the City Government of
Alaminos, Pangasinan.

Thereafter, various developments in HINP were introduced to make it as
top tourist destination in Region 1. As a result, tourist arrivals increased
tremendously, as well as revenues for LGU-Alaminos City.

The economy in the City started to boom, thereby benefiting thousands of
Alaminians who ventured into tourism-related businesses. Various hotels, resorts,
and restaurants were built in the City to accommodate tourists who wanted to
experience the beauty of HINP.

Despite these developments in the HINP, protection of HINP remained to
be the top priority of the City Government of Alaminos City, thus it has also
formulated and crafted measures to protect the HINP from exploitation and abuse,
thereby ensuring the preservation of its natural resources and environment.

On May 12, 2009, R.A. No. 9593, otherwise known as “The Tourism Act
of 2009” was enacted and provided, among others, the Rationalization of Tourism
Areas, Zones and Spots.

When Presidents Manuel L. Quezon and Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo issued
their respective proclamations, no legislation from Congress declared it as a
tourism zone.

Consequently, this bill aims to formalize the objectives of said former
presidents by declaring HINP as a tourism zone pursuant to the provisions of R.A.
No. 9593.

In view of the foregoing, immediate passage of this bill is earnestly
requested.



Republic of the Philippines
House of Representatives

Quezon City, Metro Manila

Twentieth Congress
First Regular Session

HOUSE BILL NO. 3177

Introduced by Representative Arthur F. Celeste

ANACT

DECLARING THE HUNDRED ISLANDS NATIONAL PARK,
LOCATED IN THE CITY OF ALAMINOS, PROVINCE OF
PANGASINAN, A TOURISM ZONE

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

SECTION 1. Declaration of the Hundred Islands National Park as
Tourism Zone — Pursuant to Presidential Proclamation No. 667, issued on
January 18, 1940 by President Manuel L. Quezon, and Executive Order No. 436,
issued on June 21, 2005 by President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo, the Hundred
Islands National Park (HINP), located in City of Alaminos, Province of
Pangasinan, is hereby declared a tourism zone.

SECTION 2. Control and Supervision. — The city government of
Alaminos shall have full control of the administration, supervision, management,
maintenance, and operation of the HINP.

SECTION 3. Creation of HINP Management Board. Within one (1) year
after the approval of this Act, the HINP Management Board shall be created
which shall serve as the policy-making body of the HINP. It shall composed of
the following members:

a. Mayor of the City of Alaminos, as Chairperson;
b. Representative from the Department of Tourism (DOT), as Vice-
Chairperson;


9

Congressional Representative of the First District of Pangasinan, or a
duly authorized representative;
d. Governor of the Province of Pangasinan or a duly authorized
representative;
Representative from the Sangguniang Panlungsod;
Ten (10) Punong Barangays from the barangays within the coastal area
of the HINP;
g. Representative from the Department of Agriculture — Bureau of
Fisheries and Aquatic Resources;
. Representative from the National Economic and Development
Authority;
Representative from the Office of Civil Defense;
Three (3) representatives from the non-governmental organizations;
. Representative from the private sector within the geographical
jurisdiction of the HINP;
and
. Representative from the local colleges or universities in the City of
Alaminos.

me

eos

woe

SECTION 4. Revenues. All revenues and collections generated from the
operation of the HINP shall accrue to the treasury of the city government of
Alaminos and shall be used solely for the management, maintenance, operation
and development of the HINP.

SECTION 5. Role of the DOT — The DOT shall assist the city government
of Alaminos by providing technical assistance in tourism capacity building. It
shall include the HINP in all its regional and national promotion programs.

SECTION 6. Separability Clause. If any provisions of this Act shall be
declared unconstitutional or invalid, the remaining provisions not affected
thereby shall remain in full force and effect.

SECTION 7. Repealing Clause. All laws, rules, regulations, presidential
decrees, and other issuances inconsistent with any of the provisions of this Act
are hereby deemed repealed or amended accordingly.

SECTION 9. Effectivity. This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after
its publication in the Official Gazette or in a newspaper of general circulation.

Approved.