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

EIGHTEENTH CONGRESS
First Regular Session”

5265

House Bill No.

Introduced by Representative Sol Aragones

EXPLANATORY NOTE

San Pablo City is a Ist class city in the province of Laguna, Philippines. According
to the 2015 census, it has a population of 266,068 people. It is one of the oldest cities in the
Philippines. In terms of land area, it is the largest in the province of Laguna.

As a tourist destination, San Pablo is known as the “City of Seven Lakes” referring
to the seven lakes located in the city, namely: Lake Sampaloc, Lake Palakpakin, Lake Bunot,
Lakes Pandin and Yambo, Lake Muhikap, and Lake Calibato. For many generations, the Seven
Lakes have provided food, livelihood, and leisure for the citizens and the tourists of the city.
However, the lakes are adversely affected by human intervention and exploitation. Several
illegal settlements, illegal fish pens, commercial and business infrastructures on the shores have
proliferated on some of the lakes causing increased pollution.

Measures must be implemented in order to maintain the beauty of the seven lakes,
as well as provide adequate livelihood for the citizens, and at the same time push the city
towards positive and sustainable development. This bill is proposed in order to officially confer
to San Pablo City the title of “City of Seven Lakes” and declaring it as a tourist destination.
With the help of the Department of Tourism and other government agencies, San Pablo City
will be given the opportunity to fully realize its potential as a top tourist destination in the
country. Other tourism related industries will also spur further economic development in the
area by providing local employment opportunities through hotels, resorts, restaurants,
transportation services, souvenir shops, among others.

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

SOL aceones

3®° District, Laguna

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

EIGHTEENTH CONGRESS
First Regular Session

House Bill No. pees

Introduced by Representative Sol Aragones

AN ACT DECLARING THE CITY OF SAN PABLO, PROVINCE OF LAGUNA AS A
TOURIST DESTINATION, APPROPRIATING FUNDS THEREFOR

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

assembled:

SECTION 1. City of Seven Lakes. — The City of San Pablo, Province of Laguna shall
also be known as the City of Seven Lakes and is hereby declared a tourist destination.

SECTION. 2. Role of the Government Agencies. — The Department of Tourism
(DOT), in coordination with the Tourism Infrastructure and Enterprise Zone Authority
(TIEZA), the Provincial Government of Laguna, the City Government of San Pablo, and other
concerned government agencies shall hereby create a comprehensive development plan to
promote tourism, improve accessibility, and ensure the security of the people in the area.

SECTION. 3. Appropriation. — The Secretary of Tourism shall include the
Department’s program the implementation of this Act. The amount necessary to carry out the
provisions of this Act shall be included in the General Appropriations Act following its
enactment into law.

SECTION. 4. Separability Clause. — Any portion or provision of this Act that is
declared unconstitutional shall not have the effect of nullifying other portions or provisions
hereof as long as such remaining portions can still subsist and be given effect in their entirety.

SECTION. 5. Repealing Clause. — All laws, ordinances, rules, regulations, other
issuances or parts thereof, which are inconsistent with this Act, are hereby repealed or modified

accordingly.

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1 SECTION. 6. Effectivity. — This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after its
2 publication in the Official Gazette or in a newspaper of general circulation.

3 Approved.

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