Republic of the Philippines 
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES 
Constitution Hills, Quezon City 
TWENTIETH CONGRESS 
First Regular Session 
HOUSE BILL NO.  ________ 
Introduced by Lone District of Agusan del Norte Representative 
HON. DALE B. CORVERA 
AN ACT 
DECLARING THE CONGRESSMAN EDELMIRO A. AMANTE, SR. MAPASO 
RESORT AND ADVENTURE NATURE PARK, LOCATED IN THE 
MUNICIPALITY OF SANTIAGO, PROVINCE OF AGUSAN DEL NORTE, AN 
ECOTOURISM ZONE 
EXPLANATORY NOTE 
As early as 1939, the beauty and importance to a balanced ecology of the Mapaso Hot 
Spring in the Province of Agusan del Norte has been recognized. Then Philippine President 
Manuel L. Quezon issued Proclamation No. 422, series of 1939, entitled “Establishing as 
Mapaso Hot Spring Forest Reserve for Watershed Protection and Timber Production a Parcel 
of Public Domain Situated in the Municipality of Cabadbaran, Province of Agusan, Island of 
Mindanao. 
Over the years, a new municipality, Santiago, was created, the territorial jurisdiction of 
which includes the area where the Mapaso Hot Spring Forest Reserve is located. To further 
protect and preserve the natural beauty of the area and its wildlife species, Municipal Ordinance 
No. 30, series of 1993 was ordained. The ordinance declared the 50-hectare Mapaso Municipal 
Park as Sanctuary of Wildlife and mandated the putting up of signboards thereon to raise 
awareness. 
In honor of the late Congressman Edelmiro A. Amante, Sr. who initiated the 
development of the Mapaso Hot Spring into a primary tourist destination not only in the 
Municipality of Santiago, but in the whole Province of Agusan del Norte, the Sangguniang 
Bayan of the Municipality of Santiago ordained Municipal Ordinance No. 163, series of 2022 
naming the Mapaso Hot and Cold Spring of the Municipality of Santiago, Agusan del Norte 
into Congressman Edelmiro A. Amante, Sr. Mapaso Resort and Adventure Nature Park. 
The purpose of this bill is to ensure the preservation of the Congressman Edelmiro A. 
Amante, Sr. Mapaso Resort and Adventure Nature Park including its wildlife species, and its 
promotion as a primary tourist destination in the Province of Agusan del Norte. This measure 
recognizes that a comprehensive tourism development plan aligned with the national tourism 
development program of the Department of Tourism is vital in ensuring that the generations 
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yet unborn will be able to enjoy the subject nature park the way the past and the present 
generations relish it. 
This version of the bill is a rehash of HB 11169 which was filed during the 19th 
Congress and approved by the House of Representatives on third reading on 18 December 
2024. Unfortunately, no counterpart bill was filed by the Senate. 
In view of the foregoing, immediate approval of this bill is earnestly sought. 
DALE B. CORVERA 
Representative 
Lone District of Agusan del Norte 


Republic of the Philippines 
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES 
Constitution Hills, Quezon City 
TWENTIETH CONGRESS 
First Regular Session 
HOUSE BILL NO.  ________ 
Introduced by Lone District of Agusan del Norte Representative 
HON. DALE B. CORVERA 
AN ACT 
DECLARING THE CONGRESSMAN EDELMIRO A. AMANTE, SR. MAPASO 
RESORT AND ADVENTURE NATURE PARK, LOCATED IN THE 
MUNICIPALITY OF SANTIAGO, PROVINCE OF AGUSAN DEL NORTE, AN 
ECOTOURISM ZONE 
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the Philippines in Congress 
assembled: 
SECTION 1. The Congressman Edelmiro A. Amante, Sr. Mapaso Resort and 
Adventure Nature Park, located in the Municipality of Santiago, Province of Agusan del Norte 
is hereby declared an ecotourism zone. Pursuant thereto, its development shall be prioritized 
and supported by the Department of Tourism (DOT), subject to the rules and regulations 
governing the development of ecotourism zones. 
SEC. 2. Within one (1) year after the approval of this Act, the municipal government 
of Santiago shall, in coordination with the DOT, Department of Environment and Natural 
Resources, 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 area: Provided, That said development 
plan shall ensure the preservation and conservation of the natural beauty and resources of the 
area: Provided, further, That the implementation of the tourism development plan shall be 
included in the budget of the municipal government of Santiago. 
SEC. 3. The DOT shall assist the municipal government of Santiago in the 
implementation of the tourism development plan by providing technical assistance in tourism 
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capacity building. It shall also include the Congressman Edelmiro A. Amante, Sr. Mapaso 
Resort and Adventure Nature Park in all its regional and national promotion programs. 
 
SEC. 4. The funding for the implementation of this Act shall be included in the annual 
budget of the municipal government of Santiago. 
The DOT through the Tourism Infrastructure and Enterprise Zone Authority (TIEZA), 
if necessary, may include such allocation in the TIEZA’s program. 
 
SEC. 5. Within sixty (60) days from the effectivity of this Act, the municipal 
government of Santiago shall, in consultation with the DOT and concerned agencies of the 
government, promulgate the rules and regulations to implement this Act.  
 
SEC. 6. If any provision of this Act shall be declared unconstitutional or invalid, the 
other provisions not affected thereby shall remain in full force and effect. 
 
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,