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Republic of the Philippines.
House of Representatives

Quezon City, Metro Manila

Seventeenth Congress
First Regular Session

4711

HOUSE BILL NO.

Introduced By:
EP. FRANCISCO JOSE F. MATUGAS IT
IS District, Surigao del Norte (Siargao Island)

EXPLANATORY NOTE

This bill seeks the establishment of the Siargao and Bucas Grande Islands
Ecotourism Zone.

In its Guidelines for Ecotourism [nvestmentiDevelopment: A Guide to BIMP-EAGA
Investors, the PAWB recognized the Siargao Protected Landscape and Seascape as
one of potential site for ecotourism development. The area was described, thus:

“The Siargao Protected Landscape and Seascape is just a few
hundred kilometers east of the famed Philippine Deep which is
endowed with a landscape and seascape of almost unparalleled natural
beauty that attracts environmentally conscious ecotourists, It
internationally known as surfers’ paradis

Swimming, sunbathing,
snorkeling, surfing (August to November-Northeast wind offshore,
December to February-Northeast wind on shore), boat riding, island
hopping, mountain biking, trekking, spelunking, kayaking and diving
are among, the recreational activities that the area offers. Existing
visitor facilities and amenities include beach resorts, boat hire, jetski,

cottages, restaurant, power house, commercial center, food
establishment, souvenir shops and cling stations. Investment
opportunities include stores rental for scuba diving gears, construction
of guest house cum convenience store, monkey trail, divers and
snorklers shack, and interpretative signs. The recorded number of
visitors in the area for 2001-2003 is two thousand ninety-three (2,093).””

But while the area is endowed with vast natural resources which provide
numerous investment opportunities for ecotourism development, such development


must be in accord with the policies laid down in R.A. 9593, otherwise known as “The
Tourism Act of 2009,” in that tourism development must be ecologically sustainable,
responsible, participative, culturally sensitive, economically viable, and ethically and
socially equitable for local communities. It is hoped that with the passage of this bill,
the relevant government agencies can institutionalize the necessary programs for the
development of the tourism industry in the area while at the same time preserving
and protecting the beauty and bounty given by Mother Nature.

In view of the foregoing, approval of this bill is earnestly sought.

FRANCISCO JOSE F. MATUGAS II


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Republic of the Philippines

House of Representatives

Quezon City, Metro Mani

venteenth Congress
First Regular Session

HOUSE BILLNo, A711

INTRODUCED BY REPRESENTATIVE FRANCISCO JOSE F. MATUGAS IL

AN ACT
DECLARING SIARGAO AND BUCAS GRANDE ISLANDS IN THE PROVINCE
OF SURIGAO DEL NORTE AS AN ECOTOURISM ZONE AND
APPROPRIATING FUNDS THEREFOR

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

SECTION 1. Short Title. - This Act shall be known as “The Siargao and Bucas
Grande Islands Ecotourism Act."

SEC, 2. Declaration of Policy. - It is hereby declared the policy of the State to
promote a tourism industry that is ecologically sustainable, responsible,
participative, culturally sensitive, economically viable and equitable for local

communities.

SEC. 3. Siargao and Bucas Grande Islands as Ecotourism Zone. - Siargao and
Bucas Grande Islands, in the Province of Surigao Del Norte are hereby declared an
ecotourism zone. The Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR)
shall, within ninety (90) days after the approval of this Act, make an inventory of the
existing flora and fauna in Siargao and Bucas Grande Islands that shall serve as the

basis for a master plan that will be developed for purposes of this Act.

SEC. 4. Siargao and Bucas Grande Islands Ecotourism Governing Board. - For the
purpose of Section 3 of this Act, an ecotourism governing board, to be known as the
Siargao and Bucas Grande Islands Ecotourism Governing Board, is hereby created.


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The board shall be composed of the Representative of the First District of Surigao del
Norte who shall act as chair, the Secretaries of the Department of Tourism (DOT)

and the DENR or their duly authorized representatives, a member of a non-
government organization whose advocacy is environmental preservation, a member
of the academe, a representative of the business sector, a representative of the
private sector and the local chief executives of the municipalities where Siargao and
Bucas Grande Islands are situated. The gove

ing board shall prepare the rules and
regulations necessary for the full implementation by the concerned local government
units of the provisions of this Act and shall, as the need arises, amend, modify or
revise such rules and regulations to meet the needs of changing times

SEC. 5. Siargao and Bucas Grande Islands Ecotourism Master Plan. - The
DENR and the DOT shall, within one hundred twenty (120) days from the approval
of this Act, develop a master plan to be approved by the President of the Republic of
the Philippines upon the recommendation of the governing board,

SEC. 6. 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/or internally generated funds of the Department

SEC. 7. Separability Clause. - If any provision or part thereof is declared
unconstitutional, the remainder of this Act or any provision not affected shall remain
in full force and effect.

SEC. 8. Repealing Clause. — All law, presidential decrees, executive orders, rules
and regulations or parts thereof inconsistent with the provisions of this Act are

hereby repealed, amended or modified accordingly

SEC. 9. Effectivity. ~ This Act shall take effect immediately after its publication
in the Official Gazette or in two (2) newspapers of general circulation.

Approved,