Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES,
Quezon City

SIXTEENTH CONGRESS
‘Third Regular Session

House Bill No,__ 6064

JONORABLE SCOTT DAVIES S. LANETE, M.D.

Introduced by

EXPLANATORY NOTE,

Unknown to many but are exponentially gaining attention, the Island of Nagarao and its
surrounding islands are full of tourist and economic potential. Situated at the developing
municipality of Placer in the Province of Masbate, the Island of Nagarao and its surrounding
islands are naturally gifted with pristine white sand beaches, virgin coral reef’ filled with
colorfiul fauna and faura, wide-ranging sand bars, and most of all, extremely warm-welcoming
people

Despite these natural treasures, the Island of Nagarao and its surrounding islands remain
undiscovered and undeveloped. The lack of progress in the area can be traced to non-existent
attention coming from the national government. Worse, the area has and continues to fall prey to
unscrupulous entities engaged in illegal fishing thereby causing massive and irreversible
destruction to the area.

Considering that it is a policy of the State to undertake the sustainable development of the
environment simultaneously with the right of the people to a healthy and balanced ecology, it is
imperative that the national government provide the needed care and attention to the Island of
Nagarao and its surrounding islands. In order to achieve these goals, the Island of Nagarao and
its surrounding islands should be declared as an ecotourism spot wherein an ecotourism council
will be established to steer the area to fame and progress while maintaining the sanctity of its
natural resources. Hence, the passage of this bill is urgently sought

SCOTT DAVIES S. LANETE, M.
epresentative
Third District, Province of Masbate


Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Quezon City

SIXTEENTH CONGRESS
‘Third Regular Session

6064

House Bill No.

Introduced by HONORABLE SCOTT DAVIES S. LANETE, M.D.

AN ACT DECLARING THE ISLAND OF NAGARAO AND ITS SURROUNDING
ISLANDS AS AN ECOTOURISM ZONE, ESTABLISHING NAGARAO
ECOTOURISM COUNCIL, PROVIDING FUNDS THEREFOR,

AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES

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 “Nagarao Ecotourism Act.”

Sec. 2. Declaration of Policy. \t is hereby declared the policy of the State to ensure the right of
the people to a balanced and healthful ecology through the promotion of activities designed for
environmental protection and conservation

See. 3. The Nagarao Ecotourism Zone. \n accordance with the foregoing declared policy, there is
hereby established an ecotourism zone, to be known as the Nagarao Ecotourism Zone,
hereinafter known as the Zone, which shall cover the entire area embraced by the Island of
Nagarao and its surrounding islands located in the Municipality of Placer, Province of Masbate.

Sec 4. The Nagarao Ecotourism Council. ‘There is hereby created an ecotourism council, to be
known as the Nagarao Ecotourism Council, hereinafter known as the Council to be composed of
one representative each from accredited non-government organizations and people's
organizations engaged in ecotourism, one recognized indigenous people’s federation, reputable
travel organizations, the academe, and the local chief executive of the Municipality of Placer
who shall sit as the chairman of the Council

Placer’s local legislative body shall appoint the members of the Council for a term of five (5)
years, renewable for one term.

The Department of Tourism and Department of Environment and Natural Resources shall assist
the Council in its task of pursuing the objectives of this Act


Sec. 5. Functions and Responsibilities of the Council. The Council shall be responsible for the
following,

a. Study, adopt, and from time to time update an Ecotourism Master plan and
supervise the implementation of the corresponding programs and activities
therein;

b. Assess and evaluate the potential impact of development to the environmental
safety and well-being of the Zone;

c. Conduct consultations with the local residents of the Zone to be affected by
ecotourism development to assimilate their cultural values and beliefs in the
master plan and other programs,

d. Provide technical and financial assistance to communities in the Zone,

e, Formulate rules and regulations which shall prohibit illegal fishing and related
activities;

£- Perform such other functions as may be necessary to carry out the objectives of
this Act.

Sec. 6. Ecotourism Fund. To carry out the purposes of this Act, there shall be created a special
fund called the Nagarao Ecotourism Fund, which shall be sourced from at least 40% of the
environmental fee, which shall be collected by the Council from all visiting tourists.

See. 7. Separability Clause. ~ If any part or provision of this Act shall be held unconstitutional or
invalid, other provisions, which are not affected thereby, shall continue to be in full force and
effect,

Sec. 8. Repealing Clause. ~ All laws, issuances or parts thereof inconsistent with this Act are
hereby repealed or modified accordingly

Sec. 9. Hffectivity. — 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.