Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Quezon City
SIXTEENTH CONGRESS
First Regular Session

House BILL No, 4599

Introduced by HON. FERNANDO V. GONZALEZ

EXPLANATORY NOTE

The Province of Albay is fast becoming a tourist hot spot. DOT Secretary Ramon Jimenez, remarked
that the increase of tourist arrivals in Albay alone came with a 17 percent growth rate as against the National
Capital Region’s 11 percent increase in 2011. “Albay province is a very competitive destination in the country
with its unique culture, warm people and the majestic Mayon Volcano as an incomparable icon in the world”,
Jimenez informed a local newspaper.

At the recently concluded UN World Tourism Organization — ASEAN International Conference on
Tourism and Climate Change held at the Oriental Hotel, Albay Province, Legazpi City attended by officials of
the UNWTO, led by its Secretary-General Taleb Rifai, and the heads of the Association of Southeast Asian
Nations (ASEAN) National Tourism Organization, Rifai described Albay as a world-class tourist destination
with the perfect cone-shaped Mayon Volcano as a tourism gem.

In order to respond to the increasing influx of foreign and domestic tourists to Bicol, the Aquino
administration is expediting the construction of the P3.5B Bicol International Airport at Alobo, Daraga, Albay.

Aside from the Mayon Volcano, the Cagsawa Ruins, and other National Historical and Cultural Heritage
sites in the Province of Albay, there are other diverse tourist destinations, attractions and markets that can be
developed in order to maximize major tourism activities in the area. The unspoiled white sand beaches along
the Albay West Coast offer such diversity and unique attraction - an alternative to the highly commercialized
beaches and mangrove plantations of Boracay and Palawan.

This bill therefore seeks to declare these Albay West Coast beaches in the 3 District of the Province of
Albay as tourist spots in line with the national government's drive to create multi- faceted tourist destinations.

In view of all the foregoing, the prompt approfdl of thisill is respectfully requested.
FERNA' ALEZ
Representative, 3" Distfict, Albay


Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES.
Quezon City
SIXTEENTH CONGRESS
First Regular Session

HOUSE BILL NO. ___ 4539

Introduced by HON. FERNANDO V, GONZALEZ

AN ACT
DECLARING THE STRETCH OF BEACHES THAT LINE THE ALBAY WEST COAST IN THE 3“?
DISTRICT OF THE PROVINCE OF ALBAY AS TOURIST SPOTS AND APPROPRIATING FUNDS
THEREFOR

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

SECTION 1. The long stretch of beaches that form part of the Albay West Coast located in the 3"
District of the Province of Albay, are hereby declared as tourist spots, namely:
fa. the beaches at barangays Buenavista, Malidong, Basicao Coastal, and Marigondon, in the Municipality
of Pioduran;
b. the beaches at barangays Maonon, Cabarian, and Catburawan, in the City of Ligao;
the beaches at barangays Badian, Cagmanaba, Maramba, and Nagas, in the Municipality of Oas; and
d. the beaches at barangays Apud, Rawis, Talin-Talin, and Pantao, in the Municipality of Libon.
‘As such tourist spots, they shall be accorded priority development by the Department of Tourism (DOT)
and shall be subject to the rules and regulations governing development of tourist spots.

Sec. 2. The Department of Tourism, in coordination with other government agencies concerned, shall
prepare, within one year from the approval of this Act, a tourism development plan involving the construction,
installation and/or maintenance of such appropriate facilities and infrastructure as shall encourage tourism in the
area.

Sec. 3. The DOT shall take the necessary steps to implement the said development plan and incorporate
the same in its tourism development program for the ensuing calendar year.

Sec. 4, The amount necessary to carry out the provisions of this Act shall be included in the General
‘Appropriations Act of the year following its enactment into law and thereafter.

Sec. 5. This Act shall take effect upon its approval.

‘Approved.