NINETEENTH CONGRESS )
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES )
First Regular Session )

HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

EXPLANATORY NOTE

This bill seeks to deciare Birhen Falls located in Barangay Dansolihon in Cagayan de Oro City
as an eco-tourism site.

Birhen Falls could be one the many possible international tourist havens in Cagayan de Oro
City. It has a wide variety of flora and fauna wherein mountaineers and tourists can enjoy
several common eco-tourism related activities such as trekking, nature viewing, bird watching,
swimming, nature photography and camping.

Declaring the Birhen Falls an ecotourism site will result in the development and improvement
of the tourist site. It will aiso help the development of the local community.

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

RUFYS B. noyovez


NINETEENTH CONGRESS )
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES )
First Regular Session )

HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

“introduced by Representative Rufus B. Rodriguez

281

House Bill No.

AN ACT
DECLARING BIRHEN FALLS IN BARANGAY DANSOLIHON IN CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY
AN ECOTOURISM SITE AND APPROPRIATING FUNDS THEREFOR

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

SECTION 1. The Birhen Falls in Barangay Dansolihon in Cagayan de Oro City is hereby
declared an ecotourism site. Its development shall be prioritized by the Department of Tourism
(DOT) and shall be subject to the rules and regulations governing the development of
ecotourism sites.

SEC 2. The DOT shall prepare and incorporate the development plan for Birhen Falls in the
overall National Tourism Development Plan (DP), pursuant to Republic Act No. 9593,
otherwise known as "The Tourism Act of 2009". The pian shall be implemented jointly by the
local government of Cagayan de Oro City, the local Protected Area Management Board
(PAMB), and the Tourism Infrastructure and Enterprise Site Authority (TIEZA).

The DOT, in coordination with the local government of Cagayan de Oro City, the local
PAMB, TIEZA and other concerned agencies of the government, shall identify well-defined
geographic areas within the Birhen Falls ecotourism site and coordinate the integrated
development of these areas, including existing infrastructure and facilities, for the optimum
utilization of natural assets and attractions: Provided, That the development to be undertaken
shall ensure the preservation of the scenery and the historic significance of the identified
tourist attractions.

SEC 3. The Secretary of 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 from internally generated funds of the DOT.

SEC 4. Within sixty (60) days from the effectivity of this Act, the Secretary of the DOT, in
consultation the local government of Cagayan de Oro City, the local PAMB, TIEZA and other
tourism stakeholders, shall promulgate the necessary rules and regulations for the proper
implementation of this Act.

SEC 5. All laws, executive orders, presidential decrees, rules and regulations and other
issuances contrary to or inconsistent with this Act shall be deemed repealed or modified
accordingly.

‘SEC 6. This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after its publication in the Official Gazette or
in a newspaper of general circulation.

Approved,