Republic of the Philippines
HOUSEOF REPRESENTATIVES
Quezon City

SIXTEENTH CONGRESS
First Regular Session

HousE BILLNo. 3492

INTRODUCED BY HONORABLE CHERYL DELOSO-MONTALLA

EXPLANATORY NOTE

After its eruption 1995, Mount Pinatubo which is situated in the Province of
Zambales, redefined its physical appearance. The once fierce volcano is now host to a
number of attractions that make it one of the most visited spots by both local and foreign
tourists. In addition to the natural beauty exuded by the volcano, the rich soil is a
veritable source of nutrient suitable for high value crops and other farm produce.

With these attributes of Mount Pinatubo, the issue of sustainability of the tourism
and agricultural potential of the volcano comes to mind. As of today, little to none is
being done not only to promote ecotourism in the area without disregarding the impact
of human invasion in the rich ecosystem of Mount Pinatubo. It is also noteworthy to
state that little to none is being made to ensure the practice of responsible agriculture in
the area in order to harness the full potential of the rich volcanic soil of Mount Pinatubo.

In view of this, this bill proposed to declare Mount Pinatubo as an ecotourism
zone that shall be governed by a composite body that will ensure the sustainability of
the agri-ecotourist spot.

It is in this light that this bill is being filed and immediate passage of this bill is
earnestly sought.

CHERYL DELOSO MONTALLA
Representative
2” District, Zambales


Republic of the Philippines
HOUSEOF REPRESENTATIVES
Quezon City

SIXTEENTH CONGRESS
First Regular Session

HousEBILLNo,__ 3492

INTRODUCED BY HONORABLE CHERYL DELOSO-MONTALLA

AN ACT
DECLARING MT. PINATUBO IN ZAMBALES AS AN ECOTOURISM ZONE,
APPROPRIATING FUNDS THEREFOR AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES

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

SECTION 4. Declaration of Policy. It is hereby declared the policy of the state to
promote a sustainable ecotourism industry to attract local and foreign tourists while
making them aware of the urgent need to preserve the blessings of nature.

SECTION 2. Mt. Pinatubo Ecotourism Zone. Mount Pinatubo is hereby declared
an ecotourism zone. The Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR)
shall, within 90 days after the approval of this Act, make an inventory of the existing
flora and fauna in Mt. Pinatubo that shall serve as the basis for a master plan that will
be developed for the purpose of this Act.

SECTION 3. Mt. Pinatubo Ecotourism Goveming Board. For the purpose of
Section 2 of this Act, an ecotourism governing board, to be known as the Mt. Pinatubo
Ecotourism Governing Board, is hereby created. The board shall be composed of the
Representative of the Second District of Zambales who shall act as chair, the
Secretaries of the Department of Tourism and the Department of Environment and
Natural Resources or their duly authorized representatives, a member of a non-
government organization whose advocacy is environmental preservation, a member of
the academe, a representative of the business sector, a representative of the private
sector and the local chief executives of municipalities where Mt. Pinatubo is situated.
The governing board shall prepare the rules and regulations necessary for the full
implementation by the concerned local government units of the provisions of this Act
and shall, as the need arises, amend, modify or revise such rules and regulations to
meet the needs of changing times.

SECTION 4. Mt. Pinatubo Ecotourism Master Plan. The Department of
Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) and the Department of Tourism (DOT)
shall, within 120 days from approval of this Act, develop a master plan to be approved
by the President of the Republic of the Philippines upon the recommendation of the
governing board.

SECTION 5. Appropriation. The amount necessary for the initial implementation
of the provisions of this Act shall be charged against the unappropriated balance of the
budget of the DOT for the first year. Subsequently, a yearly appropriation for the
effective implementation of this Act shall be included in the annual General
Appropriations Act of the Republic of the Philippines.


SECTION 6. Repealing Clause. All laws, rules, regulations, executive orders,
presidential decrees or any other issuance contrary to or inconsistent with any of the
provisions of this Act are hereby deemed repealed or modified accordingly.

SECTION 7. Separability Clause. if any provision or part of this Act may be
declared unconstitutional, the remaining provisions which are not affected shall remain
in full force and effect.

SECTION 8. Effectivity. This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after its
publication in the Official Gazette.

Approved,