Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Quezon City

NINETEENTH CONGRESS
First Regular Session

House Bit’no. 441

INTRODUCED BY REP. MAXIMO, JR. Y. DALOG

EXPLANATORY NOTE

The Philippines boasts of its beautiful and various tourism destinations
ranging from heavenly beaches to majestic mountains, waterfalls, lakes,
caves and man-made attractions like the different rice terraces in the Northern
part of the country. These tourist destinations have in fact attracted millions of
visitors every year save for the periods when visitors were not allowed
because of the pandemic.

However, despite the number of known tourist destinations, there are a lot of
tourism potentials in the country that have yet to be developed, discovered
and more importantly preserved. One of these lesser known tourism potentials
in the Philippines is the municipality of Barlig in Mountain Province. Barlig,
Mountain Province is home to the tenth highest mountain in the Philippines,
Mount Amuyao frequented by adventurous local mountaineers for its thick
mossy forest cover and abundance of flora and fauna. It is also where the
famous Philippine Eagle was sighted in the late 1990s. In addition, Barlig
offers varied tourist spots from cascading waterfalls, cool pristine lakes, hot
springs, wonderful rock formations, majestic mountain ranges, beautiful rice
terraces, burial caves, unique cultural patterns that is showcased during the
three festivals in the municipality and the most sought after cool temperature
during summer which give an unforgettable and distinctive experience to
those who both love nature and culture,

Considering that tourism is a fast-growing industry in the Philippines, there is
therefore a need to develop tourism potentials like the municipality of Barlig,
Mountain Province.

In view of the foregoing, approval of this bill is earnestly urge



Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Quezon City

NINETEENTH CONGRESS
First Regular Session

441

vu
HOUSE BILL NO.

INTRODUCED BY REP. MAXIMO, JR. Y. DALOG

AN ACT DECLARING THE MUNICIPALITY OF BARLIG ON
MOUNTAIN PROVINCE AS A TOURIM DEVELOPMENT AREA AND
APPROPRIATING FUNDS THEREFOR.

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

Sec. 1. Title. - This Act shall be known as the "Barlig Tourism
Development Area” (Barlig TDA) Act.

Sec. 2. Declaration of Policy. -It is hereby declared the policy of
the State to promote a tourism industry that is ecologically sustainable,
responsible, participative, culturally sensitive, economically viable, and
equitable local communities. Towards this end, the State shall support the
establishment of Tourism Enterprise Zones (TEZ) and ensure the full
implementation of this Act and the mobilization of resources for the
institutional mechanisms herein established to attract and focusinvestmenton
specific geographic areas within the tourism development area.

Sec. 3. Scope and Coverage. The Municipality of Barlig, Province of
Mountain Province is hereby declared a tourism development area. The
following natural and historical areas within the town of Barlig which are
endowed with natural beauty, pristine waters and mountain resources, and
rich historical and cultural significance shall be included in the Barlig TDA and
thus developed as tourist destinations therein

a) The Mount Amuyao and the mountain range of Kadaclan in the
Municipality of Barlig;

b) The Barlig Rice Terraces in barangays Gawana, Fiangtin,
Macalana and Latang:

©) The Kadaclan Rice Terraces in barangays Lunas, Chupac, Kaleo
and Ogo-og;


d) The Lias Rice Terraces and Challos Falls in barangays Lias
Silangan and Lias Kanluran;

e) The Topnew and Lingoy Hot Springs and Lake Tufob in
Barangay Lingoy;

f) The Mornang Hot Spring, the Mornang and Allob Falls, the
Siblaw Taraw Lake and the Wonderful Rock in Barangay
Latang;

9) The Lettang Burial Caves and the Lettang, Moyopoyop and
Patyayan Falls in Barangay Lunas;

h) The beautiful Or-or Falls in Barangay Kaleo;
i) The Amfitayok Falls in the Barangay of Ogo-og;
}) The Tokchag Falls in Barangay Gawana;

k) The Lusong Fukian Kan Wikian Rock Formation in Barangay
Fiangtin; and

The Pangngor Chin Stone and Tomallan Waterfalls in
Barangay Macalana

The development of the Barlig TDA shall be prioritized by the
Department of Tourism (DOT), subject to the rules and regulations
governing the development of tourism development areas.

Sec. 4. Tourism Development Plan of Barlig. - The Tourism
Development Plan of the Municipality of Barlig shall be incorporated in the
DOT's overall National Tourism Development Plan (NTDP) pursuant to
Republic Act No. 9593, otherwise known as the "National Tourism Act of
2009" and shall be jointly implemented with the local government and the
Provincial Tourism Council of Mountain Province taking into consideration
Republic Act No. 7586, otherwise known as the "National Integrated
Protected Areas System Act of 1992" and its implementing rules and
regulations.

The DOT, in coordination with the Tourism Infrastructure and Enterprise
Zone Authority (TIEZA) and other concerned agencies of the government,
shall delineate well defined geographic areas within the Barlig TOA and
coordinate the integrated development of these areas for the optimum use
of natural assets and attractions, as well as existing facilities.

Sec. 5. Barlig Tourism Development Trust Fund. - There is hereby
established a trust fund under this Act to be known as the Barlig Tourism
Development Trust Fund for purposes of financing projects which shall
enhance tourism in the municipality. The Trust Fund shall be administered
by a Trust Fund Administrator under the Municipal Tourism


Council of Barlig. the Trust Fund shall be derived from fees collected from
visitors/tourists, other resources from the province, proceeds from the
registration and lease of multiple-use areas, including tourism concessions,
fees, proceeds and contributions from industries and facilities directly
benefiting the municipality.

The Trust Fund may be augmented by grants and donations, endowment from
various sources, domestic or foreign entities and individuals, for purposes
related to their functions; Provided, That disbursements therefrom shall be in
accordance with existing accounting and auditing rules and regulations:
Provided, further, That the Trust Fund shall not be used to cover personal
services and expenditures.

Sec.6. Appropriations. - The Secretary of the DOT shall include
in the Department's program the implementation of this Act, the funding of
which shall be included in the annual General Appropriations Act and
internally generated funds of the DOT.

Sec. 7. Separability Clause. - Any provision of this Act or part hereof
that may be declared unconstitutional shall not affect the effectivity of the
other provisions.

Sec. 8. Repealing Clause. - All laws, executive orders, presidential
decrees, rules and regulations and other issuances contrary to or
inconsistent with this Act shall be deemed repealed or modified accordingly.

Sec. 9. Effectivity Clause. This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days

after its publication in the Official Gazette or in at least two (2) national
newspapers of general circulation.

Approved,