Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE 0F REPRESENTATIVES
Quezon City, Metro Manila
NINETEENTH CONGRESS
First Regular Session
House  Bill  No.
Introduced by HON. RordALb V. SINGSoN
EXPLANATORY NOTE
The Philippines is home to some of the world's most majestic natural wonders, including ridges and pinnacles
massed together in  long and  loft ranges, and thousands of mountains overlooking entire landscapes. One of
these is  Mt. Caniaw, which  is situated  in the  Municipality of Bantay,  Province of llocos Sur.
Understanding  Mt. Caniaw's tourism  potential,  resources have  been devoted to develop the  mountain  as a
tourist  spot.  Improvements  were  introduced,  and  in  2019,  the  Caniaw  Heritage  and  Forest  Park,  which  is
located  at the  foot of  Mt.  Caniaw,  was formally  inaugurated. The  park caters  mostly to adrenaline junkies
and nature lovers alike. However, tourism in  Mt. Caniaw remains largely undeveloped and leaves much to be
desired. Therefore, this gem  remains unfamiliar to the rest of the country.
Consequently,  it  is  vital  that  proper  measures  and  policies  be  considered  by  both  the  local  and  national
government   in   order   to   maximize   Mt.   Caniaw's   potential,   while   preserving   its   natural   beauty,   and
encouraging  responsible and  sustainable  use. To  achieve this,  Mt.  Caniaw  must  be declared an  ecotourism
Zone.
The  ecotourism  zone  must  be  in  line  with  the  government's  National  Tourism  Development  Plan,  which
supports the development of Philippine tourism  products and  raises the competitiveness of the  Philippines
as a tourism destination.
ln view of the foregoing, the immediate consideration and passage of this bill is earnestlysought.


Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Quezon City, Metro Manila
NINETEENTH CONGRESS
First Regular Session
House  Bill  No.
Introduced by HON. RONALD V. SINGSON
AN ACT DECLARING MOUNT CANIAW SITUATED IN THE MUNICIPALITY OF BANTAY,
PROVINCE OF ILOCOS SUR AS AN ECOTOURISM ZONE TO ENCOURAGE THE RESPONSIBLE
AND SUSTAINABLE USE, AS WELL AS FOR THE PRESERVATION AND CONSERVATION OF THE
NATURAL RESOURCES FOUND THEREIN, APPROPRIATING FUNDS THEREFOR, AND FOR
OTHER PURPOSES
Be it enacted by the Senate and the House of Representatives of the Philippines in Congress assembled:
SEC.1.  Mount Caniaw,  which  is  situated  in the  Municipality of Bantay,  Province  of llocos
Sur is hereby declared an ecotourism zone.  Pursuant thereto, its development shall be prioritized
and supported by the Department of Tourism (DOT), subj.ect to the rules and regulations governing
the development of ecotourism destinations.
SEC. 2. Within  six  (6)  months after the approval  of this Act, the  municipal government of
Bantay, in coordination with the Department of Tourism (DOT),  the Department of Environment
and  Natural  Resources  (DENR),  and  concerned  agencies  of the  government,  prepare  a  tourism
development   plan  that  shall   include  the  construction,   installation   and   maintenance  of  such
appropriate facilities and infrastructure that shall enhance tourism in the area: Prov/.ded, That the
said  development  plan  shall  ensure  the  preservation  of the  natural  beauty and  perpetuate  the
historical  significance of the area.
SEC. 3. The DOT, in coordination with the Department of Public Works and  Highways (DPWH),
and    other    concerned    government    units    shall    implement   the   fast-tracked    construction    and
improvement of roads, bridges and other infrastructure necessary in the development of the area upon
promulgation of this Act and prioritize the same in its infrastructure program.
The DOT, in coordination with the Department of Transportation (DOTr), and other concerned
government   units   shall   promote   the   progressive   development   in   civil   aviation,   land   and   sea
transportation   infrastructure   in   the   area   to   improve   accessibility   and   connectivity   of   tourist
destinations.


SEC. 4. 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 from
internally generated funds of the DOT.
SEC.  5.  Within  sixty  (60)  days  from  the  effectivity  of the  Act,  the  Secretary  of the  DOT shall
promulgate the necessary rules and regulations for its proper implementation.
SEC.  6.  All  laws,  rules,  regulations,  executive  orders,  presid'ential  decrees  and  other  issuances
inconsistent with any of the provisions of this Act are hereby deemed repealed or amended accordingly.
SEC. 7. This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after its publication in the Official Gazette or in a
newspaper of general circulation.
Approved,