Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Quezon City
EIGHTEENTH CONGRESS
Third Regular Session
HOUSE BILL NO. _________
Introduced by: Hon. Angelina “Helen” D.L. Tan, M.D.
AN ACT
DECLARING MAULAWIN SPRING PROTECTED LANDSCAPE IN BARANGAYS CALIMPAK, SAN PEDRO I,
MAGSAYSAY AND HIMBUBULO WESTE IN THE MUNICIPALITY OF GUINAYANGAN, PROVINCE OF
QUEZON AS ECO-TOURISM ZONE AND APPROPRIATING FUNDS THEREFOR
EXPLANATORY NOTE
Article II, Section 16 of the Constitution provides that "The State shall protect and advance the
right of the people to a balanced and healthful ecology in accord with the rhythm and harmony of
nature."
The Maulawin Spring Protected Landscape has been declared a protected are by virtue of
Republic Act No. 11038, otherwise known as the "Expanded National Integrated Protected Areas
System Act of 2018". The area consists of forested hills and several rivers and streams located in
Guinayangan, Quezon.
It was created in 1939 to protect the watershed in Guinayangan, Quezon known as the
Maulawin Spring Watershed Forest Reserve, which was declared through Proclamation No. 365 by
President Manuel Luis Quezon. It had an initial area of 60 hectares (150 acres). In 2000, the forest
reserve was enlarged and was redesignated as a protected landscape under the National Integrated
Protected Areas System by virtue of Proclamation No. 295 issued by President Joseph Estrada. It is the
only source of potable water for domestic consumption of the more than 40,000 residents of
Guinayangan.
The Maulawin Spring Protected Landscape covers an area of 149.01 hectares (368.2 acres) of
lowland forest in the barangays of Himbubulo, San Pedro and Magsaysay in west-central Guinayangan.
It sits on a hilly terrain in the eastern portion of the Tayabas Isthmus and the northeastern extreme of
Bondoc Peninsula near Guinayangan's border with the municipalities of Calauag and Lopez. The park is
traversed by several rivers and creeks, some of which dry up during the summer months and which
empty into the Catabangan Bay and Ragay Gulf, including the Maulawin River, Hiwasayan River, Tubog
Creek and Prenza River. These rivers supply water for the Guinayangan Water District. The topography
of the park is characterized as a complex of land configuration ranging from slightly level, sloping to
rolling, and steep to hilly and rugged mountains. It has an elevation of between 250 metres (820 ft)
and 500 metres (1,600 ft) above sea level and is composed primarily of clay loam.
The park is located about 1.5 kilometres (0.93 mi) west of the Guinayangan Poblacion and some
130 kilometers (81 mi) east of the provincial capital city of Lucena. It is surrounded by private
agricultural lands and coconut plantations in Ermita, San Roque, Dungawan and Sisi. It is accessible via
the provincial road to Guinayangan from the Pan-Philippine Highway (AH26) in Calauag, thence by foot
through numerous trails from barangays Sisi and Calimpak.
August 27, 2021
7:04 pm
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The park is a forested area with sixty percent of its territory inhabited by dipterocarp trees,
including molave, kamagong, guijo, red lauan, and white lauan, yakal and manggachapui. It is home to
a diverse bird species, such as the Philippine dwarf kingfisher, rufous hornbill, northern sooty
woodpecker, black-naped oriole, Philippine coucal, jungle crow, coleto, black-winged kite and
Philippine collared dove. It also supports some large mammals, including the crab-eating macaque,
Philippine deer, Philippine warty pig, Asian palm civet, as well several bats and snakes.1
The bill seeks to declare the Maulawin Spring Protected Landscape in the Municipality of
Guinayangan, Province of Quezon as eco-tourism site. Its designations as an eco-tourism destination
will greatly help facilitate the growth and promotion of tourism in Quezon and the CALABARZON. It will
also ensure that the rich biological diversity in the area is protected and preserved. Also, its growth as
an eco-tourism destination will significantly support the local economy by providing employment and
trade opportunities.
In view of the foregoing, the immediate passage of this measure is earnestly sought.
ANGELINA “HELEN” D.L. TAN, M.D.
4th District, Quezon
1 https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Maulawin_Spring_Protected_Landscape Accessed on 20 August 2021


Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Quezon City
EIGHTEENTH CONGRESS
Third Regular Session
HOUSE BILL NO. _________
Introduced by: Hon. Angelina “Helen” D.L. Tan, M.D.
AN ACT
DECLARING MAULAWIN SPRING PROTECTED LANDSCAPE IN BARANGAYS CALIMPAK, SAN PEDRO I,
MAGSAYSAY AND HIMBUBULO WESTE IN THE MUNICIPALITY OF GUINAYANGAN, PROVINCE OF
QUEZON AS ECO-TOURISM 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 “Maulawin Spring Protected Landscape
Eco-Tourism Zone 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 equitably beneficial to local communities.
SEC. 3. Maulawin Spring Protected Landscape Eco-Tourism Zone. – The Maulawin Spring
Protected Landscape located in Barangays Calimpak, San Pedro I, Magsaysay, and Himbubulo Weste in
the Municipality of Guinayangan, Province of Quezon is hereby declared an eco-tourism 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 the Maulawin Spring Protected Landscape 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 Guinayangan, the local Protected Area Management Board (PAMB),
and the Tourism Infrastructure and Enterprise Zone Authority (TIEZA).
The DOT, in coordination with the Municipality of Guinayangan, the PAMB, the TIEZA, and other
concerned agencies of government, shall identify well defined areas within the Maulawin Spring
Protected Landscape Eco-Tourism Zone and ensure the integrated development of these areas for the
optimum utilization of natural assets and attractions, as well as the preservation of their historic
significance.
SEC. 4. Appropriations. – The Secretary of Tourism 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.
SEC. 5. Implementing Rules and Regulations. – Within sixty (60) days after the effectivity of this
Act, the Secretary of Tourism, in consultation with the Municipality of Guinayangan, the PAMB and the
TIEZA, shall issue the necessary rules and regulations for the effective implementation of this Act.
SEC. 6. Repealing Clause. - All laws, decrees, orders, rules and regulations or parts thereof
inconsistent with the provisions of this Act are hereby repealed, amended or modified accordingly.
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SEC. 7. Effectivity. - This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after its publication in the Official
Gazette or in any newspaper of general circulation.
Approved,