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Republic of the Philippines
Bouse of Representatives
Queson City, Metro Manila
Twentieth Congress
First Regular Session

House Bill No248

Introduced by

HON. REPRESENTATIVE LAARNI LAVIN ROQUE
4™ DISTRICT, BUKIDNON

EXPLANATORY NOTE

This bill seeks to declare Mount Anahawon located in Barangay Banlag,
City of Valencia, Province of Bukidnon as a responsible, community-based
ecotourism zone with the goals of developing and promoting the areas into a
community-based ecological tourist destination, generating investments,
creating livelihood opportunities, and protecting the natural resources within
the area.

Part of the city’s mountainous eastern portion is the stunning Mt.
Anahawon specifically located in Sitio Sumpong, Barangay Banlag. With an
elevation of 900 meters above sea level, its landscapes offer breathtaking
views that are a perfect site for amateur and experienced hikers. The ridge
has an open camping area where one can enjoy a panoramic view of the
lush agricultural fields and highlands of the city and unobstructed scene of
its lovely evening lights and its adjacent municipalities. A sea of clouds will
usually greet you in the early morning with the spectacular vista of the
nearby ridges and the majestic mountain ranges of the province, Kitanglad
and Kalatungan.

In anticipation of the influx of local and foreign tourists, this bill, when
enacted into law, will help secure adequate national support for the local
government units (LGUs) to realize its vast potential as an eco-tourism zone
that is ecologically sustainable, responsible, participative, culturally

RECEIVED

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sensitive, economically viable and ethically and socially equitable for the
local community.

Furthermore, the enactment of this bill into law will effectively fast-
track the construction and improvement of roads and bridges, and other
infrastructure projects necessary to make the area accessible and
convenient to all, especially the tourists.

This bill has been previously filed by this representation in the 19"
Congress and was approved on Third Reading by the House of
Representatives and transmitted to the Senate for its concurrence. However,
due to lack of material time it was not enacted into law.

Given the above premises, the urgent passage of this bill is earnestly
sought.

HON. LAARNI LAVIN ROQUE
474 DISTI /\BUKIDNON


Republic of the Philippines
Wouse of Representatives
Queson City, Metro Manila
Twentieth Congress
First Regular Session

54
House Bill No. 2548

Introduced by

HON. REPRESENTATIVE LAARNI LAVIN ROQUE
4% DISTRICT, BUKIDNON

AN ACT
DECLARING MOUNT ANAHAWON, LOCATED IN BARANGAY BANLAG,
CITY OF VALENCIA, PROVINCE OF BUKIDNON, AN ECOTOURISM
ZONE

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

SECTION 1. Mount Anahawon located in Barangay Banlag, City of Valencia,
Province of Bukidnon, is hereby declared an ecotourism zone. Pursuant
thereto, its development shall be prioritized and supported by the
Department of Tourism (DOT), subject to the rules and regulations
governing the development of ecotourism zones.

SEC. 2. Within one (1) year after the approval of this Act, the local
government of the City of Valencia shall, in coordination with the DOT,
Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) and concerned
agencies of the government, prepare a tourism development plan that shall
include the construction, installation and maintenance of such appropriate


infrastructure and facilities to enhance tourism in the area: Provided, That
said development plan shall ensure the preservation and conservation of the
natural beauty and resources of the area: Provided, further, That the
implementation of the tourism development plan shall be included in the
budget of the local government of the City of Valencia. 1

SEC. 3. The DOT shall assist the local government of the City of Valencia in
the implementation of the tourism development plan by providing technical
assistance in tourism capacity building. It shall also include Mount Anahawon
in its national and regional promotion programs.

SEC. 4. The funding for the implementation of this Act shall be included in
the annual budget of the local government of the City of Valencia. The DOT
may augment such allocation with internally-generated funds.

SEC. 5. Within sixty (60) days from the effectivity of this Act, the local
government of the City of Valencia shall, in consultation with the DOT and
concerned agencies of the government, promulgate rules and regulations to
implement this Act.

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.