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Republic of the Philippines

Constitution Hills, Quezon City
NINETEENTH CONGRESS
First Regular Session

nouse BILL No. _ 103

Introduced by Representative VINCENT FRANCO “DUKE” D. FRASCO

EXPLANATORY NOTE

This bill seeks to establish a domestic commercial airport in the Municipality of San
Francisco, Camotes Islands, Province of Cebu, to be known as the Camotes Cebu Domestic
Airport.

The proposed measure is similar to House Bill No. 7847, which was previously filed in the
18" Congress. It was filed last October 15, 2020 and was transmitted to the House Committee on
Transportation, for Technical Working Group deliberations. However, up to the present, the
proposal has not materialized

The right to travel is a constitutionally protected right as provided for under Section 6,
Article III of the 1987 Philippine Constitution, It is a fundamental right, which occupies a preferred
position in the hierarchy of values. The right to travel is part of the liberty of which a citizen cannot
be deprived, without due process of law, and only on clear and compelling grounds of national
security, public health, and public safety, as mandated by the Constitution.

Airport projects remain to be a priority, as air connectivity serves as a vital enabler of
economic growth and development.

The Islands of Camotes is composed of four Municipalities, and is blessed with pristine
beaches, unique tourist spots, and lush natural resources. Its combined area is 236.36 kilometers.
It is located East of Cebu Island, Southwest of Leyte Island, and North of Bohol Island. It is 34
nautical miles from Cebu City and forms part of the territorial jurisdiction of the Province of Cebu.
According to the 2020 census, the Islands of Camotes have a combined population of 109,278. In
recent years, the Camotes Islands have steadily grown in popularity as an alternative tourism
destination in Cebu and the Visayas for both local and foreign tourists.

However, to date, the Islands of Camotes are only accessible via Ferry Boat, and its
accessibility is heavily dependent on fast changing sea currents, making travel thereto both
challenging, and at times, unpredictable. The difficulty in accessing the area has been a major
hindrance to the economic development of the area and the upliftment of the lives of its people.

In line with our thrust and tourism objectives for the Islands of Camotes to become the
world-class destination it has the potential to be, the Cebu Provincial Government has already

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conducted a project feasibility study, the location of the airport has been identified as the property
of the Province of Cebu, and the officials of the Mactan Cebu International Airport Authority have
conducted site visits and have concurred on the project’s feasibility.

The proposed Camotes Cebu Domestic Airport will span 27 hectares with a 1.8-kilometer
airstrip. The nearest landfall, from North end of Ponson Island to Southern Leyte, is about 7.2
kilometers. From Consuelo port to Danao port is 32 kilometers. From South of Pacijan to Bohol
is about 47 kilometers.

With the administration's prioritization to boost the govemment’s spending on
infrastructure, the proposed Camotes Airport will not only greatly contribute to the growth of the
local and national economy, by increasing Cebu’s capacity to accommodate more air traffic and
decongesting the existing domestic airport in Mactan, it will also provide local livelihood, increase
tourism and business growth and most importantly, uplift the lives of the people of Camotes.

‘The construction of a new airport will bring access and progress to the Islands of Camotes.
as the development of its full potential as a tourism powerhouse of Cebu can only add to the

economic benefit of our country.

Hence, the approval of this Bill is earnestly requested.

VINCENT FRANCO D. FRASCO


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45,

Republic of the Philippines

HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Constitution Hills, Quezon City
NINETEENTH CONGRESS
First Regular Session

103

HOUSE BILL NO.

Introduced by Rep. Vincent Franco D. Frasco

AN ACT
ESTABLISHING A DOMESTIC, COMMERCIAL AIRPORT IN THE MUNICIPALITY
OF SAN FRANCISCO, PROVINCE OF CEBU, AND APPROPRIATING FUNDS
THEREFOR

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

Section 1. There is hereby established a Camotes Cebu Domestic Airport to be located in
the Municipality of San Francisco, Province of Cebu.

Section 2. Implementing Agencies. - The Department of Transportation (DOT®) shall
implement the establishment of the Camotes Cebu Domestic Airport located in the Municipality
of San Francisco, Province of Cebu.

Section 3. Appropriations. - The amount necessary to implement the establishment of the
Camotes Cebu Domestic Airport shall be appropriated in the General Appropriations Act (GAA).

Section 4. Separability Clause. ~ If any provision, or part hereof, is held invalid or
unconstitutional, the remainder of the law or provision is not otherwise affected shall remain valid
and subsisting.

Section 5. Repealing Clause. ~ The provisions of any law, executive orders, presidential
decrees or their issuances inconsistent with this Act are hereby repealed or modified accordingly.

Section 6. Effectivity. — This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after its publication in
the Official Gazette or in at least two (2) national newspapers of general circulation.

Approved,