Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Quezon City, Metro Manila
NINETEENTH CONGRESS
Second Regular Session
House Bill No.  8619
Introduced by Representative LOLITA KAREN TANALA JAVIER
HXPLANATORY NOTH
This bill seeks to declare Silawa Falls as an eco-tourism site in the Municipality of Jaro, Province
ofLeyte.
The Silawa Falls is located in Barangay Villa Conzoilo, Jaro, Leyte; a harbour town in the Northern
coast of Southern Leyte with a large variety of nature's gift and a distinct area for serenity. The
falls is a hidden deeper circle with rare plants and fresh water direct from the mountain ranges.
Uncommon animals roam the surrounding forest, making it a home for endangered species both
flora and fauna including different types of birds, insects, wild boars, deer and monkeys from the
mountain ranges.
The Silawa Falls is undoubtedly one of the hidden gems in Leyte. It offers a safe haven to a wide
variety of natural attractions where visitors and tourists  can enjoy  several  eco-tourism related
activities such as camping, swimming, nature viewing, trekking and photography, among others.
Thus,  the  developments  of the  Silawa Falls  into  an  eco-tourism  site will  not  only  enhance  its
aesthetic  worth  but  will  also  bring  forth  economic  benefits  for  the  people  of Leyte  and  the
Philippines as a whole.
In view of the foregoing, approval of this bill is earnestly recommended.


Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE 0F REPRESENTATIVES
Quezon City, Metro Manila
NINETHENTH CONGRESS
Second Regular Session
House Bill No. 8619
Introduced by Representative LOLITA KAREN TAHALA JAVIER
AN ACT
DHCLARING SILAWA FALLS IN BARANGAY VILLA CONZOILO, MUNICIPALITY
OF JARO, LEYTE PROVINCE OF LEYTu AS AN ECOTOURISM SITE AND
APPROPRIATING FUNDS THEREFOR
Be it enacted by the Senate and the House Of Representatives Of the Philippines in Congress
assembled:
SECTION  I.           Short Title. -This Act shall be known as "Silawa Falls Ecotourism
Act.„
SECTION 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.
SECTION  3.             Silawa Falls Ecotourism Site. -Silawa Falls  in Barangay Villa
Conzoilo,  Municipality  of Jaro,  Province  of Leyte  is  hereby  declared  an  ecotourism  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 ecotourism sites.
The DOT shall prepare the development plan for Silawa Falls 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 implementedjointly with
the Municipality of Jaro, the local Protected Area Management Board (PAMB) and the Tourism
Infrastructure and Enterprise Zone Authority (TIEZA).
The DOT, in coordination with the Municipality of Jaro, the PAMB and the TIEZA and
other appropriate agencies of the government, shall identify well defined geographic areas within


Silawa Falls ecotourism site and coordinate the integrated development of these areas  for the
optimum  utilization  of natural  assets  and  attractions,  as  well  as  existing  infrastructure  and
facilities;  Provided, that the development shall ensure the preservation of the scenery and the
historic significance of the identified tourist attractions.
SECTION 4.          Implementing Rules and Regulations. -The secretary of DOT, in
consultation with the Municipality of Jaro, the PAMB, TIEZA and other tourism stakeholders,
shall promulgate the necessary mles and regulations for the proper implementation of this Act.
SECTION 5.           Appropriations.  -The  Secretary  of  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 intemally generated funds of the DOT.
SECTION 6.          Repealing clause. -All laws, executive orders, presidential decrees,
rules and regulations and other issuances contrary to or inconsistent with this Act shall be deemed
repealed or modified accordingly.
SECTION 7.          Effectivity clause. -This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after
its publication in the Official Gazette of in a newspaper of general circulation.
Approved,