EPRES
fe . oN
Republic of the Philippines IN
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES ff RECEIVED 2
Quezon City, Metro Manila 2 pave 0.4 AUG 2075 3
‘TWENTIETH CONGRESS x, TWE_2 iy

First Regular Session

HOUSE BILL NO__2928

Introduced by REPRESENTATIVE ELEANDRO JESUS F. MADRONA

EXPLANATORY NOTE

Dubbed as the "Galapagos of Asia”, the Sibuyan Island, located at the eastern side
of the Province of Romblon, is home to hundreds of species of plants and wildlife, many
of which are endemic to the island. Some of these are even mentioned in the Red List of
Threatened Species of the International Union for the Conservation of Nature.

Moreover, the island is also teeming with breath-taking landscapes and natural
attractions, as well as cultural and historical landmarks. Many of these can be found in
the Municipality of San Fernando, such as the following:

Cresta de Gallo Island and Marine Sanctuary,
Bontangigue Reef Marine Sanctuary,
Lamao Lake,

Cantingas River Resort,

Busay Falls,

Bila-Bila Falls,

Lagting Falls,

Dagubdub Falls,

Kweba Falls,

Panas Falls,

Olango Trail of Mt. Guiting-Guiting,
Punta Cauit Lighthouse,

Casa del San Fernando, and

Nuestra Sefiora de Candelaria Church.

Hence, the town’s worthiness to be developed as a world-class tourism
destination.

4 Lorenz Pasion. “FAST FACTS: Things to know about Sibuyan Island, the ‘Galapagos of Asia.”
Rappler.com, 2023. https://www-rappler.com/nation /luzon/things-to-know-sibuyan-island-
romblon/#:~:text=Aside%20from%20Mt,and%20a%20marine%20protected%20area.



Many local government units such as the Municipality of San Fernando strive hard
to recover and rise from the economic onslaught of the pandemic. As tourism is known
to create jobs and generate investments, it is seen as one of the means to uplift the lives
of many Filipinos particularly the rural folks. Alongside the protection of, and the efficient
conservation efforts for the environment, this Representation calls for the proper
formulation and implementation of a tourism development plan; installation of necessary
facilities and infrastructures in various tourism sites; capacity building of tourism
officers, operators and stakeholders; and effective local and international promotions of
destinations. With these in mind, the Province of Romblon, along with the Municipality of
San Fernando, could become one of the sought after ecotourism destinations in the
country, a vision this Representation has been looking forward to.

‘Thus, the immediate passage of this bill is earnestly sought.

ELEANDRO JESUS F. MADRONA


10

on

12

Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Quezon City, Metro Manila

TWENTIETH CONGRESS
First Regular Session

HOUSE BILL NO_2928

Introduced by REPRESENTATIVE ELEANDRO JESUS F. MADRONA

AN ACT
DECLARING THE MUNICIPALITY OF SAN FERNANDO, PROVINCE OF
ROMBLON, A TOURISM DEVELOPMENT AREA

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

SECTION 1. The Municipality of San Fernando, Province of Romblon, is hereby
declared a tourism development area (TDA).

SEC. 2. The San Fernando TDA hereby includes the following areas within the
municipality, which are endowed with scenic landscapes and natural attractions, rich
biodiversity, and historical significance:

a) Cresta de Gallo Island and Marine Sanctuary;

b) Bontangigue Reef Marine Sanctuary;

©) Lamao Lake;

) Cantingas River Resort;

©) Busay Falls;

1) Bila-Bila Falls;

2) Lagting Falls;


10
ot
12
13
14
15
16
17
18
19
20
2
22
23
24

25

fh) Dagubdub Falls;

i) Kweba Fails;

i) Panas Falls;

k)_Olango ‘Trail of Mt. Guiting-Guiting;

1) Punta Cauit Lighthouse;

m) Casa del San Fernando; and

n) Immediate environs of Nuestra Sefiora de Candelaria Church.

Pursuant thereto, the development of these areas shall be prioritized and supported by
the Department of Tourism (DOT), subject to the rules and regulations governing the
development of tourism destinations.

SEC. 3. Within one (1) year after the approval of this Act, the Municipal Government
of San Fernando shall, in coordination with the DOT, 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
infrastructure and facilities to enhance tourism in the Municipality of San Fernando,
particularly in identified areas for tourism development: Provided, That said development plan
shall ensure the preservation and conservation of the natural beauty and resources of the areas:
Provided further, That the implementation of the tourism development plan shall be included
in the budget of the Municipal Government of San Fernando.

SEC. 4. The DOT shall assist the Municipal Government of San Fernando in the
implementation of the tourism development plan by providing technical assistance in tourism
capacity building. It shall also include the Municipality of San Fernando in its national and
regional promotion programs.

SEC. 5. The funding for the implementation of this Act shall be included in the annual

budget of the Municipal Government of San Fernando.


10

ot

The DOT through the Tourism Infrastructure and Enterprise Zone Authority (TIEZA),
if necessary, may include such allocation in the TIEZA’s program.

SEC. 6. Within sixty (60) days from the effectivity of this Act, the Municipal
Government of San Fernando shall, in consultation with the DOT and concemed agencies of
the government, promulgate rules and regulations to implement this Act.

SEC. 7. All laws, rules, regulations, presidential decrees, and other issuances
inconsistent with any of the provisions of this Act are hereby deemed repealed or amended
accordingly.

SEC. 8. This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after its publication in the Official
Gazette or in a newspaper of general circulation.

Approved,