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

EIGHTEENTH CONGRESS
First Regular Session

1824

HOUSE BILL NO.

Introduced by HON. EDGAR M. CHATTO
First District, Bohol

EXPLANATORY NOTE

‘This bill seeks the immediate completion of the construction of the International
Cruise Ship Port in Catagbacan Norte, Loon, Province of Bohol through funding support
from the government. Needless to say, the development and expansion of the
Catagbacan Port as a Cruise Ship Port is envisioned to address the limited berthing
space and shallow seabed of Tagbilaran Bay; thereby, expanding its capacity to
accommodate more cruise ships, increasing tourist arrivals.

Section 2 of RA 9593 provides that “The State declares tourism as an
indispensable element of the national economy and an industry of national interest and
importance, which must be harnessed as an engine of socio-economic growth and
cultural affirmation to generate investment, foreign exchange and employment, and to
continue to mold an enhanced sense of national pride for all Filipinos.”

The Catagbacan Port in the Municipality Loon, has been identified by the
Philippine Ports Authority (PPA) for development as an International Cruise Port in
view of its strategic location in relation to the ports in nearby island provinces and the
Chocolate Hills of Bohol. It was also identified as a possible cargo port maintaining the
Tagbilaran City Port solely as a tourist passenger port.

PPA is presently undertaking the Phase 1 of the construction and development of
the Catagbacan Port as an International Cruise Ship Port. The PPA and the Department
of Tourism (DOT) through the Tourism Infrastructure and Enterprise Zone Authority
(TIEZA), shall prioritize the early completion of said project by providing funds and by
enhancing the present masterplan for the development of its infrastructure and
appropriate facilities.

Bohol continues to draw foreign tourists from across the globe from top-of-the-
line international luxury cruise ships. These include M/S Minerva, M/S Hanseatic, M/S
Silver Shadow and M/S Europa which docked, on several occasions, in Bohol for the
past five years, each bringing ‘hundreds of foreign visitors to savor Bohol’s tourist spots.
M/S Europa 2, an international cruise ship of Europe-based Hapag-Lloyd Cruises, a
subsidiary of Hapag Lloyd AG, the world’s fifth largest container carrier in terms of
vessel capacity. A couple or more cruise ships are expected to have Tagbilaran as their


port of call in the coming months. The visitors take at least four tour circuits Bohol is
known for: Tagbilaran-Baclayon-Loboc-Chocolate Hills.

‘According to the Department of Tourism (DOT), sea tourist arrivals, mostly via
cruises, rose to 52,820 passengers in 2014 from 41,624 in 2013 and 23,857 in 2012.
Cruise tourism is one of the strategic tourism products identified under DOT's National
Tourism Development Plan.

‘The establishment of an international cruise ship port in Catagbacan Norte would
accommodate more international cruise ships traveling around the Asia-Pacific Region,
making Bohol more competitive as a world-class tourism hub and creating a favorable
image of the Philippines within the international community, thereby strengthening the
country’s attraction as a tourism destination and eventually paving the way for other
penefits that may result from a positive global view of the country.

‘Taking into account the points raised, immediate passage of this bill is earnestly
sought.

REP. M. CHATTO


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

EIGHTEENTH CONGRESS
First Regular Session

HOUSE BILL NO. pees

Introduced by HON. EDGAR M. CHATTO
First District, Bohol

“AN ACT
ESTABLISHING AN INTERNATIONAL CRUISE SHIP PORT
AND APPROPRIATE FACILITIES IN CATAGBACAN, LOON,
PROVINCE OF BOHOL”

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 “An Act Establishing An
International Cruise Ship Port in Catagbacan Norte, Loon, Bohol.”

SECTION 2. Declaration of Policy. — It is the policy of the State to foster and
promote sustainable tourism throughout the country. Being one of the country’s leading
destinations when it comes to cruise-ship tourism, Bohol shall be accorded priority
development by the Philippine Ports Authority (PPA) and the Department of Tourism
(DOT).

SECTION 3. Construction, Installation and Maintenance of
Infrastructure and Facilities. - The PPA, the DOT, in coordination with the
Tourism Infrastructure and Enterprise Zone Authority (TIEZA) and other concerned
government agencies, shall give construction priority to Catagbacan International
Cruise Ship Port project for its immediate completion. It shall enhance the project’s
current master plan including the plans and designs for the accompanying
infrastructure and facilities to cater to new generation of wide-bodied, state-of-the-art
luxury cruise ships and to enhance the cruise-ship industry in the province of Bohol.

SECTION 4. Implementing Rules and Regulations. - The DOT shall
promulgate the necessary rules and regulations relevant to the construction and
maintenance of the international cruise ship port in Catagbacan Norte.


SECTION 5. Appropriations. - The PPA and the DOT shall include in their
respective Department's program the implementation of this Act, the funding of which
shall be included in their respective annual budgets for the immediate completion of the
international cruise ship port in Catagbacan, Loon, Bohol.

SECTION 6. Separability Clause. — If any provision of this Act shall be held
unconstitutional, any other provisions not otherwise affected shall remain in full force
and effect.

SECTION 7. Repealing Clause. - All laws, executive orders, rules and
regulations, or parts thereof inconsistent with the provisions of this Act are hereby
amended, repealed or modified accordingly.

SECTION 8. Effectivity. - This Act shall take effect after its complete
publication in at least two (2) newspapers of general circulation.

Approved,