I 
. L  
THIRTEENTH CONGFSSS OF THE REPUBLIC) 
OF THE PHILIPPINES 
First Regular Session 
Introduced by Senator Miriam Defensor Santiago 
EXPLANATORY NOTE 
E.O. No. 292, a.k.a. "Administrative Code of 1987," Title 13, Chapter 1, Sec. 1, 
provides: 
The State shall promote, encourage and develop tourism as a major national 
activity in which private sector investment, effort and initiative are fostered and 
supported, and through which socio-economic development may be accelerated, 
foreign exchange earned, international visitors offered the opportunity to travel to 
the Philippines and appreciate its natural beauty, history and culture, and Filipinos 
themselves enabled to see more or their country and imbued with greater pride in 
and commitment to the nation. 
The tourism industry contributes to the economic growth of our country by 
generating foreign exchange earnings, employment opportunities and international 
goodwill. It also promotes the rich and colorful socio-cultural life of the Filipino people. 
In order to realize the full potential of tourism as an important economic tool 
necessary for national development, the government should adopt and implement an 
integrated approach to tourism development. 
Hence, this bill seeks to establish an intergovernmental task force for international 
visitor assistance to make the Philippines the premiere travel and tourism destination in the 
world. 


THIRTEENTH CONGRESS OF THE REPUBLIC) 
OF THE PHILIPPINES 
1 
‘04 
RUG 10 P 428 
First Regular Session 
1 
Introduced by Senator Miriam Defensor, Santiago 
AN ACT 
TO ESTABLISH AN INTERGOVERNMENTAL TASK FORCE FOR INTERNATIONAL 
VISITOR ASSISTANCE TO MAKE PHILIPPINES THE PREMIERE TRAVEL AND 
TOURISM DESTINATION IN THE WORLD 
Be it enacted by the Senate and the House of Representatives of the Philippines in 
Congress assembled 
SECTION 1. Short Title. - This Act shall be known as the “Visit Philippines Act.” 
SECTION 2. International Visitor Assistance Task Force. - 
(1) ESTABLISHMENT -Not later than nine (9) months after the enactment of this Act, 
the Secretary of Tourism shall establish an Intergovernmental Task Force for International 
Visitor Assistance (hereinafter referred to as the “Task Force”). 
(2) DUTIES -The Task Force shall examine - 
(a) signage at facilities in the Philippines, including airports, seaports, land border 
crossings, highways, and bus, train, and other public transit stations, and shall identify 
existing inadequacies and suggest solutions for such inadequacies, such as the adoption 
of uniform standards on signage for use throughout the Philippines in order to facilitate 
international visitor’s travel in the Philippines; 
(b) the availability of multilingual travel and tourism information and means of 
disseminating, at no or minimal cost to the government, of such information; and 
(c) facilitating the establishment of a toll-free, private-sector operated, telephone 
number, staffed by multilingual operators, to provide assistance to international tourists 
coping with an emergency. 
(3) MEMBERSHIP - The Task Force shall be composed of the following members: 
(a) The Secretary of Tourism 


(b) The Secretary of Interior and Local Government; 
(c) The Secretary of Transportation and Communications; 
(d) Such other representatives of other government agencies and private-sector 
entities as may be determined to be appropriate to the mission of the Task 
Force by the Chairman. 
(4) CHAIRMAN - The Secretary of Tourism shall be the Chairman of the Task Force. 
The Task Force shall meet at least twice each year. Each member of the Task Force shall furnish 
necessary assistance to the Task Force. 
(5) REPORT - Not later than eighteen (18) months after the date of the enactment of 
this Act, the Chairman of the Task Force shall submit to the President and to Congress a report 
on the results of the review, including proposed amendments to existing laws or regulations as 
may be appropriate to implement such recommendations. 
SECTION 3. Funding. - 
(1) 
AUTHORIZATION - Subject to subsection (b), there are authorized to be 
appropriated such sums as may be necessary for the purpose of funding promotional activities by 
the Department of Tourism to help brand, position, and promote the Philippines as the premiere 
travel and tourism destination of the world. 
(2) RESTRICTIONS ON USE OF FUNDS - None of the funds appropriated under 
subsection (1) may be used for purposes other than marketing, research, outreach, or any other 
activity designed to promote the Philippines as the premiere travel and tourism destination in the 
world. 
SECTION 4. Report To Congress. - The Secretary shall submit to relevant Committees 
of the Congress an annual detailed report setting forth - 
(1) the manner in which appropriated funds were expended; 
(2) changes in the Philippine market share of international tourism in general and as 
measured against specific countries and regions; 


(3) 
an analysis of the impact of international tourism on the Philippine economy, 
including, as specifically as practicable, an analysis of the impact of expenditures made pursuant 
to this Section; 
(4) an analysis of the impact of international tourism on the Philippine trade balance and, 
as specifically as practicable, an analysis of the impact on the trade balance of expenditures made 
pursuant to this section; and 
(5) an analysis of other relevant economic impacts as a result of expenditures made 
pursuant to this section. 
SECTION 5. Separability Clause. - If any provision or part hereof, is held invalid or 
unconstitutional, the remainder of the law of the provision not otherwise affected shall remain 
valid and subsisting. 
SECTION 6. Repealing Clause. - Any law, presidential decree or issuance, executive 
order, letter of instruction, administrative order, rule or regulation contrary to or inconsistent 
with the provisions of this Act is hereby repealed, modified or amended accordingly. 
SECTION 7. EffectiviQ Clause. - This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after its 
publication in at least two (2) newspapers of general circulation. 
Approved.