HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

a. RECEIVED
Republic of the Philippines pare 22 AUG 2016

HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVE:
Quezon City ras SEW

SEVENTEENTH CONGRESS
First Regular Session

HOUSE BILLNO.__ 3175

Introduced by Representative Eric D. Singson

EXPLANATORY NOTE

Currently the Candon City Ecotourism Zone, a sprawling 250 hectares, is the home of
more than 10,000 trees including fruit bearing ones. It is envisioned that someday it will
be identified as Hocos Region’s fruit bowl. There is unlimited potential as the city
government has been conducting annual tree planting activities since 2005 which they
call “Fiesta ti Bantay” (feast of the forest). The Ecotourism Zone’s top part is the highest
point that overlooks most of the barangays of the city including the city hall and portions
of the national highway. Other towns can also be seen making it as potential convergence
area of people from the towns of Santa Lucia, Salcedo and Galimuyod. The Ecotourism
Zone will surely boost the eco/agri/eco-agri-tourism industry of the Ilocos Sur area.

The City Mayor of Candon, Mayor Ericson Singson has bared plans to maximize the
zone’s potential to showcase eco-tourism project and environmental protection and
preservation programs. To help realize this plan, I am funding the road network going to
the area for easier transport to the place. Well paved roads along barangays Parioc II and
Palacapac, including partial portion of the road going up the area, are already done.

The declaration by the Department of Tourism of this area as a tourist destination will not
only accelerate the development of this site, it would it would also put it on the DOT
map which in turn would attract more tourists in the area.

In view of the policy of the State to promote a tourism industry that is ecologically
sustainable, responsible, participative, culturally sensitive, economically viable and
ethically and socially equitable for local communities as declared in R.A. 9593, otherwise
known as the “Tourism Act of 2009”, the approval of this bill is earnestly recommended.

BL oan



Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Quezon City

SEVENTEENTH CONGRESS
First Regular Session

HOUSE BILL No._ 8175

Introduced by Representative Eric D. Singson

AN ACT
DECLARING THE CANDON CITY ECO TOURISM ZONE LOCATED IN
BARANGAY PALACAPAC, BARANGAY SAN ANDRES, BARANGAY
CUBCUBBUOT AND BARANGAY AMGUID, IN THE CITY OF CANDON,
PROVINCE OF ILOCOS SUR AS TOURIST DESTINATION PROVIDING FOR
ITS DEVELOPMENT AND APPROPRIATING FUNDS THEREFOR

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

SECTION 1. The Candon City Eco Tourism Zone is hereby declared tourist
destination. As such, it shall be accorded with priority development by the Department of
Tourism (DOT) and shall be subject to rules and regulations governing the development

of tourist destination.

SEC. 2. The Department of Tourism, in accordance with the local government
units and other concerned agencies of the government shall, within one year (1) after the
approval of this Act, prepare a development plan involving the construction, installation
and maintenance of such appropriate facilities and infrastructure as shall enhance tourism
in the area; Provided, That said development plan shall ensure the preservation and

conservation of the natural resources of the area.

SEC. 3. The Department of Tourism shall take immediate steps in implementing
the tourism development plan that will suit the natural characteristics of Candon City Eco
Tourism Zone and shall incorporate the same in its overall development plans and

programs for national implementation.


SEC. 4. It shall also be the responsibility of the DOT to promote Candon City Eco

Tourism Zone as tourism area in all its natural, regional and local promotion programs.

SEC. 5. The Secretary of Tourism shall issue such rules and regulations as may be

necessary to carry out the purpose of this Act.
SEC. 6. The amount necessary to carry out the provisions of this Act shall be
included in the General Appropriations Act of the year following its enactment into law

and thereafter.

SEC. 7. All laws, rules, regulations, proclamations, executive orders or parts

thereof inconsistent with this Act, are hereby amended accordingly.

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

Official Gazette or in two (2) national newspapers of general circulation.

Approved,