Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Quezon City

NINETEENTH CONGRESS
First Regular Session

nouse BLLNo, 3078

Introduced by HON. JOHN TRACY F, CAGAS

AN ACT DECLARING BARANGAY MANAGA, SITIO BALUTAKAY IN THE
MUNICIPALITY OF BANSALAN, PROVINCE OF DAVAO DEL SUR AS AN ECO-
AGRITOURISM SITE AND APPROPRIATING FUNDS THEREFOR

EXPLANATORY NOTE

Whereas Batangas had been labelled as the coffee capital of the Philippines, there are
a lot of areas in the Philippines with high coffee production potentials, and one of which is
the Barangay Managa, Sitio Balutakay in Bansalan Davao del Sur.

Barangay Managa, Sitio Balutakay, located 400 to 1,000 meters above sea level at the
foothills of Mt. Apo, has a micro-climate that favors coffee-growing efforts

In addition, the volcanic soil of Barangay Managa, Sitio Balutakay gives the coffee a
distinct flavor and quality. Despite these potentials, the coffee farmers of the Barangay are
still met with some challenges brought by the lack of local market demand.

Reports from MindaNews said at present, around 60 farmers are engaged in coffee
farming, with at least 50 hectares estimated to have been planted with Arabica coffee trees.
Each hectare has around 1,800 to 2,000 trees. Harvest peaks between October to January,
which yield the farmers around 10 to 20 metric tons of dried coffee beans.

Declaring Balutakay as an eco-agritourism site would not only assist the farmers with
their livelihood but also promote the growing coffee plantation in the area and create lasting
solutions to the challenges experienced by the farmers. Coffee production also provides a
diverse habitat for native species, allows the soil to replenish nutrients and provides natural
pest control

In addition, Barangay Managa, Sitio Balutakay is home to Salinta Monon, who is

touted to be the "last Bagobo weaver" and a National Manlilikha awardee. Salinta has built a


reputation for her weaves of traditional Bagobo-Tagabawa textiles. However, she passed into
legend in 2009, which leaves us with few remaining weavers in barangay Balutakay.

Endangered not only for lack of proponents, the art, which is considered the last links
to a colorful tradition of their tribe is also endangered because of the declining cultivation of
abaca plant to make the distinctive cloth, inabel. The ancestral land of Salinta Monon no
longer yields enough produce to sustain the materials, making life for the remaining weavers
a constant struggle,

This declaration will promote the preservation of the knowledge and technique of
weaving the traditional Bagobo-Tagabawa textiles, which has been enduring the verge of
extinction for years.

It is the policy of State to accord priority status to sustainable, vibrant and profitable
tourism development as one of the engines of socio-economic growth, cultural affirmation to
generate investment, foreign exchange and employment.

This bill has been previously approved in the House of Representatives during the 18"
Congress as filed by Hon. Mercedes “Didi” C, Cagas and was transmitted to the Senate but
was not taken up due to the advent of the COVID 19 pandemic

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

JOHN TRACY F. CAGAS


Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Quezon City

NINETEENTH CONGRESS
First Regular Session

HOUSE BILL NO. 3078

Introduced by HON. JOHN TRACY F. CAGAS

AN ACT DECLARING BARANGAY MANAGA, SITIO BALUTAKAY IN THE
MUNICIPALITY OF BANSALAN, PROVINCE OF DAVAO DEL SUR AS AN ECO-
AGRITOURISM SITE AND APPROPRIATING FUNDS THEREFOR

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

SECTION 1. Title. - This Act shall be known as “Barangay Managa Eco-agritourism 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. Barangay Managa Eco-Agritourism Site. Barangay Managa, Sitio Balutakay in the
Municipality of Bansalan, Davao Del Sur is hereby declared an eco-agritourism site. Its
development shall be prioritized by the Department of Tourism (DOT) and shall be subject to
the rules and regulations governing the development of the eco-agritourism site.

The DOT shall prepare a development plan that ensures the preservation and
conservation of the natural resources of the area, The plan should also include construction
and maintenance of necessary facilities to enhance the eco-agritourism area and ensure

optimum utilization of assets and resources available.

SEC. 4. Implementing Rules and Regulations. — It shall be the responsibility of DOT to
promote Barangay Managa, Sitio Balutakay as an eco-agritourism destination in all its
national, regional and local promotion programs. The DOT, in consultation with the province

of Davao Del Sur and the Tourism Infrastructure and Enterprise Zone Authority (TIEZA)


shall promulgate the necessary rules and regulations for the effective implementation of this

Act.

SEC. 5. Appropriations. — The funding of this act shall be included in the annual General
Appropriations Act and internally generated funds of DOT, the year following its enactment

into law and thereafter.

SEC. 6. Separability Clause. - If any provision of this shall be held unconstitutional or

invalid, the other provisions not otherwise affected shall remain in full force and effect.
SEC. 7. Repealing Clause. ~ All laws, rules, regulations, proclamations, executive orders,
proclamations and administrative regulations, or any part or parts thereof, which are

inconsistent with this Act are hereby repealed or modified accordingly.

SEC. 8. Effectivity. - This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after its publication in the

Official Gazette or in a national newspaper of general circulation.

Approved,