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

SEVENTEENTH CONGRESS
Second Regular Session

HB. No. 7023

Introduced by HON. LORD ALLAN JAY Q. VELASCO

EXPLANATORY NOTE

One of the main attractions of the Philippines is its tourist spots and destinations.
As gems of natural wonders, these areas can easily be tapped to improve the livelihood
of local communities and generate income for the national economy. Thus, it has been the
policy of the State to promote tourism in this country and also to seek the socio-economic
alleviation of the communities surrounding these great sites.

Towards this end, the country has been creating new ecotourism sites to develop
these natural wonders. Asan archipelago surrounded by bodies of water, the Philippines
offers many beaches in different parts of the country. In the Province of Marinduque, one
of the best locations to visit would be the Poctoy White Beach in the Municipality of
Torrijos. Its approximately 1 kilometer stretch of white-sand beach offers visitors a
unique beach experience.

As a legitimate gem in the country and a natural wonder in its own right, it is
hereby sought that the Poctoy White Beach in the Municipality of Torrijos in the Province
of Marinduque be declared as an Ecotourism Site. Such declaration would not only
redound to the benefit of the local community but would, in addition, provide boost to
the national economy.

In view of the foregoing, approval of this bill is earnestly sought,

HON. LORD Al JAY Q. VELASCO
Representative
Lone District, Marinduque


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

SEVENTEENTH CONGRESS
Second Regular Session

HB. No. 7023

Introduced by HON. LORD ALLAN JAY Q. VELASCO

AN ACT DECLARING POCTOY WHITE BEACH IN THE PROVINCE OF
MARINDUQUE AS AN ECOTOURISM SITE AND APPROPRIATING FUNDS
THEREFOR

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 “Poctoy White Beach
Ecotourism Act of 2017.”

SEC. 2. Declaration of Policy. - It is hereby declared the policy of the State to
promote a sustainable and effective ecotourism industry to attract tourists, both local and
foreign. Towards this end, the country should rationalize all efforts to make the tourism
industry a major source of livelihood and an avenue for economic development.
Moreover, measures should be taken to ensure that tourism development would be done

with a view on the preservation of the existing ecosystem and natural environment.

SEC. 3. Poctoy White Beach as an Ecotourism Site. ~ By virtue of the location
being a tourist spot and having potential of becoming an internationally-regarded
destination, Poctoy White Beach in the Municipality of Torrijos, Province of Marinduque

is hereby declared as an Ecotourism Site. As such, it shall be accorded priority


development by the Department of Tourism, hereinafter referred to as the DOT, and shall

be subject to the rules and regulations governing the development of tourist zones.

SEC. 4. Creation of the Poctoy Ecotourism Governing Board. - For purposes of
fostering the desired policy of the State and this Act, an Ecotourism Board is hereby
established and shall be known as the “Poctoy Ecotourism Governing Board.” This
Governing Board shall be created within one (1) year from the approval of this Act.

The Governing Board shall be composed of the following:

a)

The Mayor of the Municipality of Torrijos, as Chairperson;

b) The Secretary of the Department of Tourism (DOT) or a duly-authorized
representative;

©) The Secretary of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources
(DENR) or a duly-authorized representative;

d) A member of a non-governmental organization whose advocacy is

environmental preservation;

e)

A member of the academe;
f) A representative from the business sector; and
g) The Representative of the Lone District of Marinduque.

‘The Governing Board shall prepare the rules and regulations necessary for the
implementation by the local government unit of Torrijos of the provisions of this Act and
shall, whenever necessary, amend, modify or revise such rules and regulations to meet

existing needs.

SEC. 5. Tourism Development Plan. - The DOT, in coordination with the local
government unit of Torrijos, the Representative of the Lone District of Marinduque and

other concerned government agencies, shall, within one (1) year after the approval of this

3


Act, prepare a development plan involving the construction, installation and
maintenance of such appropriate facilities and infrastructure which shall enhance
tourism in the Ecotourism Site: Provided, That the said development plan shall ensure the

preservation and conservation of the natural beauty and indigenous nature of the locality.

SEC. 6. Implementation of the Plan. The DOT shall take immediate steps in
implementing the tourism development plan that will suit the natural characteristics of
the area and shall incorporate the same in its overall development plans and programs

for national implementation.

SEC. 7. Appropriations. 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 internally-generated funds of the DOT.

SEC. 8. Separability Clause. - If any provision of this Act shall be held
unconstitutional or invalid, the other provisions not otherwise affected shall remain in
full force and effect.

SEC. 9. Repealing Clause. - All laws, presidential decrees, executive orders, rules
and regulations and other issuances, or any part thereof, which are inconsistent herewith

are hereby repealed or amended accordingly.

SEC. 10. Effectivity Clause. - This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after its

publication in the Official Gazette or in two (2) newspapers of general circulation.

Approved,