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Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

Quezon City

SEVENTEENTH CONGRESS
Second Regular Session

HOUSE BILL NO. S066

EXPLANATORY NOTE

Under the Philippine Local Government Code of 1991, provinces, cities, and
municipalities are enjoined to provide basic services, facilities, and programs for the
Promotion, development, and upkeep of tourism in their respective jurisdictions.
Notwithstanding such mandate, there is currently no office, official, or personnel,
specifically tasked to discharge such duties and functions in our LGUs.

More recently, the Philippine Development Plan for 2017-2022 included among its
10 Point Socio-Economic Agenda the following:

5. Promote rural and value chain development toward increasing
agricultural and rural enterprise productivity and rural tourism.

The abovementioned directive is part of a greater vision for the Philippines
(AmBisyon Natin 2040) and may be considered as echoing the mandate given by the
Local Government Code of 1991.

In order to realize these objectives, it is therefore imperative to create the office
of the Tourism Officer in the provincial, city, and municipal levels, as the case may be.
This would greatly help catalyze tourism not only in existing tourist destinations, but
more importantly in the development and promotion of emerging rural areas and
eventually all throughout the Philippines.

Hence, the approval of this Bill is earnestly sought.

Coby
REP. VINI| NOLA Af ORTEGA

Representative — ABONO Partylist


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Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Quezon City
SEVENTEENTH CONGRESS
Second Regular Session

HOUSE BILL NO. £066

AN ACT
CREATING THE OFFICE OF THE TOURISM OFFICER IN LOCAL GOVERNMENT UNITS
FROM THE PROVINCIAL, CITY, AND MUNICIPAL LEVELS AMENDING FOR THE PURPOSE
PERTINENT SECTIONS OF REPUBLIC ACT 7610, OR OTHERWISE KNOWN AS THE LOCAL
GOVERNMENT CODE OF 1991, AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES.

Section1. Title. — This Act shall be known as the “Creation of the Tourism Officer Act
of 2017”.

Section2. Declaration of Policy. —

It is the policy of the State to promote, develop, and maintain Philippine tourism
in all its territories. Such obligation is delegated to the Local Government Unit
concerned in the provincial, city, and municipal level, as the case may be. Said duties
and functions may be discharged by the Tourism Officer who is appointed by the local
executive thereat.

Section 3. Amendments of Sections 443, 454, and 463 of the Local Government
Code of 1991. - The pertinent provisions of the Local Government Code are hereby
amended and shall now be read as follows:

Section 443. Officials of the Municipal Government. -
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(b) In addition thereto, the mayor may appoint a municipal administrator,
a municipal legal officer, a municipal agriculturist, a municipal
environment and natural resources officer, a municipal social welfare and
development officer, a municipal architect, a municipal information
officer, AND A MUNICIPAL TOURISM OFFICER.

100%

Section 454, Officials of the City Government. —

200%

(b) In addition thereto, the city mayor may appoint a city architect, a
city information officer, a city agriculturist, a city population officer, a city
environment and natural resources officer, a city cooperatives officer, AND
A CITY TOURISM OFFICER.

100%

Section 463. Officials of the Provincial Government. —

20%

(b) In addition thereto, the governor may appoint a provincial
population officer, a provincial natural resources and environment officer,
a provincial cooperative officer, a provincial architect, a provincial
information officer, AND A PROVINCIAL TOURISM OFFICER.

20%

Section 4. Qualifications, Powers, and Duties. - The Tourism Officer’s qualifications,
powers, and duties shall be determined and enumerated by the Department of Interior
and Local Government in coordination with the Department of Tourism together with
other pertinent and related government agencies and shall be indicated in the
Implementing Rules and Regulations of this Act.

Section 5. Implementing Rules and Regulations. - Within ninety (90) days after the
effectivity of this Act, the Department of Interior and Local Government, in consultation
with and support of the Department of Tourism, and other related agencies, shall
formulate the rules and regulations necessary for the effective implementation of this
Act.

Section 6. Separability Clause. - If any provision or part hereof is held invalid or
unconstitutional, the remainder of the law or the provision thereof shall remain valid
and effective.


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Section7. _ Effectivity. - This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after its publication
in the Official Gazette or in at least two (2) newspapers of general circulation.

Approved