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

SEVENTEENTH CONGRESS
Second Regular Session

1B. No, 2022

Introduced by HON. LORD ALLAN JAY Q. VELASCO

EXPLANATORY NOTE

‘The Philippines has always been endowed with natural wonders, such as the
Island of Boracay, the well-known Chocolate Hills and the Rice Terraces. These wonders
made this country a viable and suitable destination for tourists all over the world. Thus,
the policy of the State has been to promote tourism in the country and at the same time,
create jobs, improve the lives of local communities and develop the natural wonders
located here.

In this regard, cities and provinces in this country have welcomed and hoped the
creation of new and more ecotourism zones. Certainly, these zones brought new jobs and
possessed great potential to improve the economy, both local and national.

One of the areas in Marinduque, the Municipality of Santa Cruz, has been a famous
tourist destination. The Maniwaya Island is, in fact, situated in this municipality and it
never failed to amaze people with its white beach and sand bar. Moreover, the
Bagumbungan Cave is also located in this municipality.

In light of the huge potential of the Municipality of Santa Cruz to become a top
tourist destination, it is hereby sought that the Municipality of Santa Cruz in the Province
of Marinduque be declared as an Ecotourism Zone. The consequent declaration would
create new jobs, improve the local livelihood and will be beneficial for the economy.

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

JAY Q. VELASCO
Représentative
Lone District, Marinduque


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

SEVENTEENTH CONGRESS
Second Regular Session

7022

HB. No.

Introduced by HON. LORD ALLAN JAY Q. VELASCO,

AN ACT DECLARING THE MUNICIPALITY OF STA. CRUZ IN THE PROVINCE
OF MARINDUQUE AS AN ECOTOURISM ZONE AND APPROPRIATING FUNDS
THEREFOR

Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the Philippines in Congress
assembled:
SECTION 1. Short Title. - This Act shall be known as the “Santa Cruz Ecotourism
Act of 2017.”

SEC. 2. Declaration of Policy. - It is hereby declared the policy of the State to
promote a sustainable and effective ecotourism industry to attract tourists, both local and
foreign. Towards this end, the country should rationalize all efforts to make the tourism
industry a major source of livelihood and an avenue for economic development.
Moreover, measures should be taken to ensure that tourism development would be done

with a view on the preservation of the existing ecosystem and natural environment.

SEC. 3. The Municipality of Santa Cruz, Marinduque as an Ecotourism Zone. - By
virtue of the many tourist spots and destinations in the locality, the Municipality of Santa
Cruz in the Province of Marinduque is hereby declared as an Ecotourism Zone. As such,

it shall be accorded priority development by the Department of Tourism, hereinafter


referred to as the DOT, and shall be subject to the rules and regulations governing the

development of tourist zones.

In particular, these areas will be given focus by DOT, the concerned government
agencies and also the Municipality of Santa Cruz, Province of Marinduque, to wit:

a) The famous Santa Cruz Church;

b) The islands of Maniwaya, Mongpong and Polo;

©) The Bagumbungan Cave; and

d) The Busay Falls situated in Barangay Pag-asa and Kawa-kawa Falls in
Barangay Bangcuangan.

SEC. 4. Creation of the Santa Cruz Ecotourism Governing Board. - For purposes
of fostering the desired policy of the State and this Act, an Ecotourism Board is hereby
established and shall be known as the “Santa Cruz Ecotourism Governing Board.” This
Governing Board shall be created within one (1) year from the approval of this Act.

‘The Santa Cruz Ecotourism Governing Board shall be composed of the following:

a)

‘The Mayor of the Municipality of Santa Cruz, as Chairperson;
b) The Secretary of the Department of Tourism (DOT) or a duly-authorized
representative;

°)

The Secretary of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources

(DENR) or a duly-authorized representative;

d) A member of a non-governmental organization whose advocacy is
environmental preservation;

) A member of the academe;

f) A representative from the business sector; and

8)

The Representative of the Lone District of Marinduque.

3


The Governing Board shall prepare the rules and regulations necessary for the
implementation by the local government unit of Santa Cruz of the provisions of this Act
and shall, whenever necessary, amend, modify or revise such rules and regulations to

meet existing needs.

SEC. 5. Tourism Development Plan. - The DOT, in coordination with the local
government unit of Santa Cruz, the Representative of the Lone District of Marinduque
and other concerned government agencies, shall, within one (1) year after the approval
of this Act, prepare a development plan involving the construction, installation and
maintenance of such appropriate facilities and infrastructure which shall enhance
tourism in the municipality, particularly in the abovementioned areas: Provided, That the
said development plan shall ensure the preservation and conservation of the natural

beauty and indigenous nature of the locality.

SEC. 6. Implementation of the Plan. The DOT shall take immediate steps in
implementing the tourism development plan that will suit the natural characteristics of
the area and shall incorporate the same in its overall development plans and programs

for national implementation.

SEC. 7. Appropriations. 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. 8. Separability Clause. - If any provision of this Act shall be held
unconstitutional or invalid, the other provisions not otherwise affected shall remain in

full force and effect.


SEC. 9. Repealing Clause. ~ All laws, presidential decrees, executive orders, rules
and regulations and other issuances, or any part thereof, which are inconsistent herewith

are hereby repealed or amended accordingly.

SEC. 10. Effectivity Clause. - This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after its

publication in the Official Gazette or in two (2) newspapers of general circulation.

Approved,