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FIFTEENTH CONGRESS OF THE REPUBLIC 
OF THE PHILIPPINES 
First Regular Session 
SENATE 
Senate Bill No. 528 
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INTRODUCED BY SEN. JINGGOY EJERCITO ESTRADA 
EXPLANATORY NOTE 
This measure proposes an ecotourism policy that would lay down a 
tourism framework based on a well-crafted balance between economic growth 
and environmental protection. It creates the National Ecotourism Commission 
which shall formulate and implement a master plan with the assistance of the 
Department of Tourism and the Department of Environment and Natural 
Resources. A network of ecotourism sites shall likewise be established, which 
will include but not to limited to those sites already covered by the National 
Integrated Protected Areas System under R.A. No. 7586. 
The role of the local communities, including the indigenous cultural 
communities, as stewards of ecotourism is mandated, not only because they will 
benefit from the profits generated from the activities to be implemented pursuant 
thereof. 
The richness of our resources could only be optimally utilized if they are 
best protected. Tourism would yield the most profits if it ensures the primacy of 
the environment and the preservation of the culture of our people. It is high time 
that we reorient our tourism goals towards a sustainable type of tourism before 
nothing else would be left of us. 
Approval of this bill is therefore sincerely sought. 
Senator 


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FIFTEENTH CONGRESS OF THE REPUBLIC 
OF THE PHILIPPINES 
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First Regular Session 
SENATE 
Senate Bill No. 5 2 8 
INTRODUCED BY SEN. JINGGOY EJERCITO ESTRADA 
AN ACT 
PROVIDING FOR A NATIONAL ECOTOURISM POLICY, ESTABLISHING A 
FRAMEWORK 
FOR 
ITS 
INSTITUTIONALIZATION, 
PROVIDING 
THE 
MECHANISMS FOR ITS APPROPRIATE IMPLEMENTATIONS, AND FOR 
OTHER PURPOSES 
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 "National 
Ecotourism Policy Act of 2010" 
to: 
, 
SEC. 2. Declaration of Policy. - It is declared to be the policy of the State 
a) ensure the right of the people to a balanced and healthful ecology 
through the promotion of activities geared towards environmental 
protection and conservation; 
b) establish framework for the utilization of natural sites for tourism 
purposes ensuring a well-crafted balance between economic development 
and resource enhancement; 
c) encourage non-government organization, people's organizations and 
the private sector to take the lead in initiating programs for tourism 
development and environmental protection, and; 
d) enlist the participation of local communities including the indigenous 
peoples by providing them the necessary assistance in the determination 
of ecotourism sites and ensuring their right to the full enjoyment of the 
benefits thereof. 
SEC. 3. Network of Ecotourism Sites. - There are hereby identified 
areas which shall be comprised the network of ecotourism sites established 
under this Act. The sites shall include but not be limited to areas within the 
National Integrated Protected Areas System as identified under Republic Act 
7586, and other areas with significant and relevant cultural heritage to be 
identified by the Commission. 


SEC. 4. National Ecotourism Commission. - There is hereby created a 
National Ecotourism Commission to be composed of one representative each 
from accredited non-government organizations and people's organization 
engaged in ecotourism, one recognized indigenous peoples federation, reputable 
travel orgJanizations, the academe and the organization representing the local 
government chief executives. 
The Commission shall be headed by a Chairman who must have a 
minimum of seven (7) years substantial exposure in the conduct of ecotourism 
activities and environmental protection. The Chairman and the members of the 
Commission shall be appointed by the President for a term of five (5) years, with 
a possibility of one reappointment. 
The Department of Tourism and the Department of Environment and 
Natural Resources shall assist the Commission to perform its task in pursuance 
of the objectives established in this Act. 
SEC. 5. Functions and Responsibilities of the Commission. - The 
Commission shall be responsible for the following: 
a) review and from time to time, update, the existing Ecotourism Master 
Plan and supervise the implementation of the corresponding programs 
and activities therein. 
b) Assess and evaluate the potential impacts of development to the 
environmental integrity of areas to be included in the Network Ecotourism 
Sites through the conduct of Environmental Impact Assessment under 
Presidential Decree 1586 and its related rules and regulations. 
c) Conduct of consultations with the local population to be affected by 
ecotourism development to integrate their cultural values and beliefs in 
ecotourism plans and programs which may be formulated through their 
own initiative; 
d) Provide technical and financial assistance to communities which are 
included in the network of ecotourism sites established under this Act. 
e) Formulation of rules and regulations which shall prohibit poaching 
activities, collection of wildlife species and the purchase of authentic and 
anthropological possessions and artifacts and other activities utilize forest 
and waste minimization and recycling; and 
f)' Such other activities as may be necessary to carry out the objectives if 
this Act. 
. 
SEC. 6. Role of Local Communities. - The local communities as well as 
the indigenous communities to be affected by the development of ecotourism 
sites shall actively participate in the formulation of ecotourism plans with the 
assistance of the Commission. They shall also have the right to declare their own 
localities as included in the network of ecotourism sites. 
SEC. 7. Code of Ecotourism Practice and Ethics. - The Commission 
shall formulate a Code of Ecotourism Practice and Ethics, six (6) months after 
the approval of this Act after a series of consulting with the concerned and 
affected stakeholders and practitioners of the tourism industry in the government 


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and the private sectors as well as the affected communities and indigenous 
peoples. 
SEC. B. Ecotourism Fund. - To carry out the purpose if this Act, there 
shall be created a Special Fund called the Ecotourism Practice which shall be 
sourced from at least twenty percent (20%) of the gross receipts of the travel tax 
of the preceding year and such other sources as government may deem 
appropriate. 
SEC. 9. Appropriation. - Such amount as may be necessary to defray the 
expenses of the Commission in the implementation of this Act shall be 
appropriated. 
Thereafter, the amount shall be regularly sourced from the 
General Appropriations Act. 
SEC. 10. Separability Clause .. - If any portion of this Act is declared 
unconstitutional or invalid, any provision not affected thereby shall remain in full 
force and effect. 
SEC.11. Effectivity Clause. - This Act shall take effect upon its approval. 
Approved,