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

SEVENTEENTH CONGRESS
Third Regular Session

House BiLLNo, 8295

Introduced by REP. RAUL “BOBOY” C. TUPAS

EXPLANATORY NOTE

AN ACT DECLARING THE TAMBALIZA ISLAND IN THE MUNICIPALITY OF
CONCEPCION, PROVINCE OF ILOILO AS AN ECOTOURISM ZONE AND
APPROPRIATING FUNDS THEREFOR

The travel and tourism sector contributed a total of Php 3.35 trillion to the Philippine
economy in 2017, accounting for about 21% of the country’s gross domestic product
(GDP), according to the latest report from the World Travel and Tourism Council (WTTC).
The sector also directly supported some 2.3 million jobs or about 5.8% of employment last
year. This is expected to rise by 6.6% in 2018 and rise by 2.6% to 3.2 million jobs in 2028.'

The Western Visayas Tourist Arrival Data from DOT Region VI show that a total of
5.9 million tourists visited the region in 2017 and spent total of Php 128.46 billion in terms
of tourist receipts. Of this, the Province of lloilo hosted around 1.3 million tourists in 2017.2

Certainly, travel and tourism remains one of the largest economic sectors in the
Philippines. The booming travel and tourism sector is currently driving the growth of many
industries as it continues to create jobs, drive exports and generate prosperity for the
country.

Pursuant to the policy of the State to promote sustainable tourism industry
throughout the country, this bill seeks to declare the Tambaliza Island in the Municipality
of Concepcion, Province of lloilo as an ecotourism zone with the goal of developing and

 https://www-wttc.org/-/media/files/reports/economic-impact-research/countries-2018/philippines2018,pdf
? Official Western Visayas 2017 Tourist Arrivals Data


promoting the island into a tourist destination, generating investments and creating job
Opportunities, and protecting the natural resources within the area.

The Tambaliza Island, also known as Pan de Azucar Island, is the largest of 16
outlying islands of the town of Concepcion and makes up nearly 19 percent of the town's
total land area. The Pan de Azucar Seascape is an area of 2,480.1478 square meters that
includes both land and sea water areas around the island.

The Tambaliza Island is politically located in the Municipality of Concepcion and is
composed of the following barangays: (1) Brgy. Macatunao; (2) Brgy. Talutuan; and (3)
Brgy. Tambaliza. The Mt. Pan de Azucar (also called Mt. Manaphag) is the most prominent
feature and distinguishable landmark of the island. The island is ringed by beaches, such
as Lumpatan Beach in Bagotao, Brgy. Macatunao which are golden-yellow to white in
color.

This bill is in line with the National Tourism Development Plan of the government
which supports the development of Philippine tourism product and raises the
competitiveness of the Philippines as a tourism destination.

In view of the foregoing, the immediate consideration and passage of the bill is

earnestly sought.
RAUL roar TUPAS,


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SEVENTEENTH CONGRESS OF THE)
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES. )
Third Regular Session )

HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
H. No. 8295

Introduced by Representative Raul C. Tupas

AN ACT DECLARING THE TAMBALIZA ISLAND IN THE MUNICIPALITY OF
CONCEPCION, PROVINCE OF ILOILO 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 ‘Tambaliza Island Ecotourism
Zone Act.”

SECTION 2. Declaration of Policy- |t is hereby declared the policy of the State to promote
a tourism industry that is ecologically sustainable, responsible, participative, culturally-
sensitive, economically viable and equitably beneficial to local communities.

SECTION 3. Tambaliza Island Ecotourism Zone - The Tambaliza Island consisting of
three (3) barangays, namely, Brgy. Macatunao, Brgy. Talutuan, and Brgy. Tambaliza
located in the Municipality of Concepcion, Province of lloilo, is hereby declared as an
ecotourism zone, to be known as Tambaliza Island Ecotourism Zone. 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 zones.

The DOT shall prepare the development plan for Tambaliza Island and shall
incorporate the same in the overall National Tourism Development Plan (NTDP), pursuant
to Republic Act No. 9593, otherwise known as “The Tourism Act of 2009". The plan shall be
implemented jointly with the Municipality of Concepcion, the Department of Environment
and Natural Resources (DENR) and the Tourism Infrastructure and Enterprise Zone
Authority (TIEZA).

The DOT, in coordination with the Municipality of Concepcion, the DENR, the TIEZA
and other concerned agencies of the government, shall delineate well-defined geographic
areas within the Tambaliza Island Ecotourism Zone and coordinate the integrated
development of the area for the optimum use of natural assets and attractions. The
development shall ensure the preservation of the flora and fauna and perpetuate the historic
significance of the identified tourist attractions.

SECTION 4. Appropriations- The Secretary of the Department of Tourism (DOT) shall
include in the Department's program the implementation of this Act, the funding of which


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shall be included in the annual General Appropriations Act and internally-generated funds
of the DOT.

SECTION 5. Implementing Rules and Regulations- Within sixty (60) days after the
effectivity of this Act, the Secretary of the Department of Tourism (DOT), in consultation with
the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR), the Tourism Infrastructure
and Enterprise Zone Authority (TIEZA) and the Municipality of Concepcion, shall promulgate
the necessary rules and regulations for the effective implementation of this Act.

SECTION 6. Repealing Clause- All laws, orders, decrees, rules and regulations and other
issuances, or parts thereof, which are inconsistent with this Act are hereby repealed or
modified accordingly.

SECTION 7. Effectivity- This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after its publication in
at least two (2) newspaper of general circulation.

Approved,