Republic of the Philippines 
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES 
Quezon City, Metro Manila 
NINETEENTH CONGRESS 
Second Regular Session 
HOUSE BILL NO.  9901 
Introduced by HON. EDGAR M. CHATTO 
First District, Bohol 
EXPLANATORY NOTE 
This bill aims to establish the Bohol Island State University Tourism and Sports 
Institute (BISU-TSI) in the municipality of Balilihan, province of Bohol. 
BISU stands as one of the premier State Universities and Colleges (SUCs) in the 
country. Under Republic Act 9722, one of BISU's general mandates is to provide 
advanced education, professional, and technological instruction in fields such as tourism 
and related disciplines. Given that Bohol's economy heavily relies on tourism, it is both 
fitting and timely for BISU to take the lead in providing high caliber Tourism and Sports 
education and training. This plays a significant role in furnishing the professional and 
technological resources required by the industry and providing specialized university-
focused services to the community. 
Bohol is blessed with natural beauty, and the entire province of Bohol has been 
declared an eco-cultural tourism zone under Republic Act 94461. Recently, UNESCO 
designated the entire island province of Bohol as The Philippines' first UNESCO Global 
Geopark2, acknowledging Bohol's extraordinary geological formations, rich biodiversity, 
and cultural heritage. With well-established infrastructure, road networks, an 
internationally-serviced airport, and a diverse array of tourism offerings, Bohol is the 
ideal location to offer Tourism and Sports Education. 
As Bohol's annual tourist arrivals continue to rise, with an average of 1 million to 
1.5 million tourists in 2016, tourism and hospitality are recognized as vital drivers of 
economic development and are among the fastest-growing sectors worldwide3. It is only 
fitting for the government to provide a comprehensive facility that enhances the skills 
and capabilities of Boholanos and Filipinos in general, in the field of tourism and related 
activities. 
1 An Act Declaring The Province Of Bohol As An Eco-Cultural Tourism Zone, signed on May 9, 2007 
2 https://www.unesco.org/en/iggp/geoparks/bohol-island 
3 World Travel Tourism Organisation (WTTC, 2018)  |  https://wttc.org/ 
February 8, 2024
12:00 pm


On the other hand, Filipinos, in recent years, display very promising future in 
sports with strong and excellent performances in boxing, weightlifting, martial arts, 
gymnastics and more. 
Aside from teaching the virtues of leadership, self-discipline and excellence, the 
sports institute will also be a venue for grassroots discovery and development of athletes 
not only in the province but in the region and the country as well. 
The BISU Tourism and Sports Institute envisions as a modern, state-of-the-art 
facility primarily dedicated to education, capacity-building, research and training for 
students and stakeholders in tourism, sports and related fields. It also seeks to construct 
intentionally-compliant sports facilities to encourage sports tourism as well.  
The BISU-TSI will offer tourism-related as well as sports-related degree programs, 
equipped with training facilities such as restaurants, hotels, a convention center, a 
cultural promotion center, a sports complex, sports training facilities and student 
dormitories. This facility will serve as a hands-on training venue for local, national, and 
international tourism professionals and athletes. And as a fitting tribute to the country’s 
Champion of Education, the proposed Sports Complex will be named after Senator 
Edgardo J. Angara to highlight the evolving face of education which is not limited to the 
four corners of the classroom.  
This will also be the country's training laboratory for tourism and sports 
development especially for Visayas and Mindanao and could open doors for sports 
tourism in the country. Bohol’s diversity in natural resources, its adventure offerings, its 
readiness to accept large number of visitors, its proximity to the two largest islands in the 
country, and its accessibility through its national and international airports and ports 
makes the province the ideal situs to host the country’s first tourism and sports institute.  
Furthermore, it will serve as an accessible tourism and sports facility and an 
accredited laboratory for on-site student and athlete training as well as venue for tourism 
and sports activities and events.  
Collaboration with the Department of Tourism (DOT), Tourism Infrastructure and 
Enterprise Zone Authority (TIEZA), and various government and non-government 
agencies, including the World Tourism Organization (WTO), will be a key feature for the 
tourism program. For the sports program, the Philippine Sports Commission (PSC) and 
various sports organizations will be engaged.  
The BISU Balilihan Campus, situated in the Municipality of Balilihan, is 
strategically located at the heart of the island province. Its easy accessibility from the city 
center, the airport, and renowned tourism sites makes it a suitable location for 
establishing this tourism and sports education facility. 
 Considering the above points, we earnestly request the immediate passage of this 
bill. 
EDGAR M. CHATTO, MGM 


Republic of the Philippines 
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES 
Quezon City, Metro Manila 
NINETEENTH CONGRESS 
Second Regular Session 
HOUSE BILL NO. 9901 
Introduced by HON. EDGAR M. CHATTO 
First District, Bohol 
AN ACT 
CREATING BOHOL ISLAND STATE UNIVERSITY (BISU) TOURISM AND 
SPORTS INSTITUTE IN THE MUNICIPALITY OF BALILIHAN, PROVINCE 
OF BOHOL, AND APPROPRIATING FUNDS THEREFOR 
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the Philippines in 
Congress assembled: 
Sec. 1. Title. - This Act shall be known as “The Bohol Island State University 
Tourism and Sports Institute Act.” 
Sec. 2. Declaration of Policy. - The State declares tourism as an indispensable 
element of the economy and an industry of national interest and importance, which must 
be harnessed as an engine of socioeconomic growth and cultural affirmation to generate 
investment, foreign exchange and employment and continue to mold an enhanced sense 
of national pride. The State shall thus see to it that the industry remains sustainably 
resilient by providing a well-trained and educated workforce in the field of tourism and 
hospitality. 
Section 17, Article 11 of the 1987 Constitution provides, “The State shall give 
priority to education, science and technology, arts, culture, and sports to foster 
patriotism and nationalism, accelerate social progress, and promote total human 
liberation and development.”  
Section 19, Article XIV of the 1987 Philippine Constitution reads,  “The State shall 
promote physical education and encourage sports programs, league competitions, and 
amateur sports, including training for international competitions, to foster self-
discipline, teamwork, and excellence for the development of a healthy and alert 
citizenry.” 
Sec. 3. Establishment of Bohol Island State University Tourism and 
Sports Institute. - There is hereby established a Bohol Island State University Tourism 
and Sports Institute, hereinafter referred to as the Institute, in the Bohol Island State 
University at the municipality of Balilihan, province of Bohol and which shall be 


country's training laboratory for tourism and sports development especially for Visayas 
and Mindanao. The Institute shall be part of the Bohol Island State University System. 
  
Sec. 4. Organization of Human Resource Complement. - The human 
resource complement of the Institute shall be organized by BISU in coordination with the 
Department of Budget and Management and in accordance with existing rules and 
regulations. 
 
Sec. 5. Tourism and Sports Curriculum. - The Tourism and Sports 
Curriculum shall be developed by BISU TSI in coordination with the Commission on 
Higher Education (CHED) and the Department of Tourism (DOT) and the Philippine 
Sports Commission (PSC). 
 
Sec. 6. Appropriations. - The amount of nine hundred sixty-three million four 
hundred thousand pesos (Php 963,400,000), or such amount thereof as may be 
necessary for the implementation of the provisions of this Act, is hereby appropriated. 
Thereafter, its yearly fund shall be included in the annual General Appropriations Act.  
 
In addition, financial contributions and technical assistance intended for tourism 
and sports development may be obtained from and through the DOT-TIEZA, CHED-
Higher Education Development Fund (HEDF), PSC, local government units, other 
national agencies and government-owned and controlled corporations (GOCCs), the 
private sector, and other local and international organizations in the form of grants, 
donations, contributions, payments, fees and charges. 
 
Sec. 7. Tax Exemptions and Tax Expenditure Fund. - The Institute shall be 
entitled to all tax exemptions enumerated under Section 25 of Republic Act No. 9500, 
otherwise known as the tax Tax Reform for Acceleration and Inclusion Act. 
 
The Institute may avail of the Tax Expenditure Fund pursuant to Executive Order 
No. 292, otherwise known as the Administrative Code of 1987, Presidential Decree No. 93 
series of 1986, Presidential Decree No. 1177 series of 1977, and other applicable laws, 
rules, and regulations. 
 
Sec 8. Implementing Rules and Regulations. -  BISU in coordination with 
he CHED, DOT, PSC, Department of Budget and Management, Bureau of Internal 
Revenue shall promulgate the necessary rules and regulations for the implementation of 
this Act within ninety (90) days after its enactment into law.  
 
Sec. 9. Separability Clause. - If, for any reason, any provision of this Act is 
declared unconstitutional or invalid, other provisions hereof which are not affected 
thereby shall continue to be in full force and effect.  
 
 
Sec. 10. Repealing Clause. - All laws, decrees, executive orders, proclamation 
and administrative regulations, or parts thereof inconsistent herewith are hereby 
repealed or modified accordingly. 
 


 
Sec. 11. Effectivity Clause. - This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after its 
publication in the Official Gazette or in at least two (2) national newspapers of general 
circulation. 
 
 
Approved,