Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Quezon City

TWENTIETH CONGRESS
First Regular Session

House Bill No. 3261

Introduced by HON. JOSEFINA B. TALLADO

AN ACT DECLARING THE MUNICIPALITY OF SANTA ELENA IN THE PROVINCE OF CAMARINES
NORTE AS AN ECOTOURISM ZONE AND APROPRIATING FUNDS THEREFOR

EXPLANATORY NOTE

Camarines Norte has been identified in the Department of Tourism’s National Tourism Masterplan as a
Tourism Development Area. This designation signals the importance to lay down measures which will
improve and enhance the tourism capabilities of the province to goals of the Masterplan.

Indeed Camarines Norte is stil a vastly untapped tourism destination and surely, among the many towns
in Camarines Norte, the town of Santa Elena is definitely one of those that stands out with respect to
ecotourism potential

Santa Elena boasts of breath-taking tourist hotspots that are stil widely untapped due to lack of adequate
tourism infrastructure.

In light of the huge potential of the Municipality of Santa Elena to become one of the top tourist
destinations, itis hereby sought that it be declared as an Ecotourism Zone. The passage of this bl will
surely create new jobs, improve the local livelihood and will be beneficial for the domestic economy.

In view of the foregoing, the passage of this billis earnestly sought.

HON. Re B. TALLADO

Representative
1°! District, Camarines Norte


Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Quezon City

‘TWENTIETH CONGRESS
First Regular Session

House Bill nod 261

Introduced by HON. JOSEFINA B. TALLADO

AN ACT DECLARING THE MUNICIPALITY OF SANTA ELENA IN THE PROVINCE OF CAMARINES
NORTE AS AN ECOTOURISM ZONE AND APROPRIATING 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 “Santa Elena Ecotourism Act of 2025”.

SECTION 2. Declaration of Policy. itis hereby declared the policy of the State to promote a sustainable
and effective ecotourism industry to attract tourists, both local and foreign. Towards this end, the country
should rationalize all efforts to make the tourism industry a major source of livelihood and an avenue for
economic development. Moreover, measures should be taken to ensure that tourism development would
be done with a view on the preservation of the existing ecosystem and natural environment.

SECTION 3. Santa Elena Ecotourism Zone. -The Municipality of Santa Elena in the Province of
Camarines Norte is hereby declared as an Ecotourism Zone. As such, its development shall be prioritized
by the Department of Tourism (DOT) and other concerned agencies, subject to the rules and regulations
governing the development of ecotourism zones.

In particular, the development of the following areas will be given focus by the DOT, the concerned
government agencies and also the Municipality of Santa Elena, Province of Camarines Norte, to wit:

a.lmee-lrene Twin Falls (Busay Falls);
b.Mt. Cadig Falls;

c.Mag-asawang Bato

d.Tinagong Dagat,

e.Pulonguit-guit; and

{. Pabungbungan Falls

SECTION 4. Ecotourism Governing Board. - Within one (1) year from the approval of this Act, there shall
be created the Santa Elena Ecotourism Governing Board, to be composed of the following:

‘a.Mayor of the Municipality of Santa Elena, as ex-officio Chairperson
b. Secretary of the Department of Tourism or a duly-authorized representative, as member;


c. Secretary of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources or a duly-authorized
representative, as member,

d.Representative of the 1° District of Camarines Norte or a duly-authorized representative, as
member;

e.Representative from an accredited non-governmental organization whose advocacy is
environmental preservation, as member;

f. Representative of the academe, as member, and

. Representative from the business sector, as member.

The Board shall prepare the necessary rules and regulations for the proper implementation of this Act
and shall, when necessary, amend, modify or revise such rules and regulations to meet existing needs.

‘The Municipal Government of Santa Elena shall provide a secretariat for the Board including the funding
necessary to cover expenses for the performance of its official functions and activities.

SECTION 5. Ecotourism Development Plan. ~ Within one (1) year from the approval of this Act, the DOT,
in coordination with the local government unit of Santa Elena, the Representative of the 1 District of
Camarines Norte and other concerned government agencies, shall prepare an ecotourism development
plan containing, among others, the construction, installation and maintenance of such appropriate
facilities and infrastructure that shall enhance tourism in the Municipality of Santa Elena, particularly in
the areas mentioned in Section 3 hereof, Provided, that the said development plan shall ensure the
preservation and conservation of the natural beauty and indigenous nature of the locality.

SECTION 6. implementation of the Plan. The DOT shall take immediate steps in implementing the
ecotourism development plan and incorporate the same in its overall development plans and programs.
for national implementation.

SECTION 7. Appropriations. 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 internally generated funds of the DOT.

‘SECTION 8. Separability Clause. - If any provision of this Act shall be declared unconstitutional or invalid,
the other provisions not affected thereby shall remain in full force and effect.

‘SECTION 9. Repealing Clause. - All laws, rules, regulations, presidential decrees, and other issuances
inconsistent with any ofthe provisions of this Act are hereby repealed or amended accordingly.

SECTION 10. Effectivity Clause. This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after its publication in the
Official Gazette or in a newspaper of general circulation.

Approved.