Republic of the Philippines
House of Representatives
Quezon City, Metro Manila

SIXTEENTH CONGRESS
First Regular Session

House Bill No.

3886

Introduced by Honorable ERLPE JOHN “PING” M. AMANTE

EXPLANATORY NOTE

‘This bill seeks to declare the Punta Diwata located in Barangay Vinapor,
Municipality of Carmen, Province of Agusan del Norte as a priority tourism site and
incorporate it in the Philippine National Tourism Development Plan.

Punta Diwata is a marine paradise, 45 minutes away from Butuan City,
located at the western end of Agusan del Norte. It is blessed with crystal blue waters
and a shore dive site described to have one of the best coral reef covers in the
country. Lining along the nearby coast are five (5) additional dive spots that are
teeming with different fishes and other remarkable marine species. Punta Diwata
also hosts forty-three (43) interesting caves and a lighthouse.

These tourism assets of Punta Diwata promise a lot of potential to become a
topnotch diving destination. In recognition to this, the national government is even
investing on a road project leading to the area amounting to P280,000,000.00
through the Tourism Road Infrastructure Program. Punta Diwata has also attracted
many domestic and foreign divers to explore its famed dive sties. But due to the
limited budget at the municipal and provincial levels, support facilities needed to
fully develop the area, such as accommodations, restaurants, and diving gears,
cannot be made available.

Through this bill, it is hoped that the national government, through the
Department of Tourism’ and the Tourism Infrastructure and Enterprise Zone
Authority, will be able to provide supplementary technical and funding assistance to
the development of Punta Diwata to ensure that its rich marine biodiversity is
preserved and that economic opportunities are equitably distributed to the locals,

Hence, approval of this bill is earnestly requested.


Republic of the Philippines
House of Representatives
Quezon City, Metro Manila

SIXTEENTH CONGRESS
First Regular Session

3886

‘House Bill No. ess

Introduced by Honorable ERLPE JOHN “PING” M. AMANTE

AN ACT
DECLARING THE PUNTA DIWATA LOCATED IN BARANGAY VINAPOR,
MUNICIPALITY OF CARMEN, PROVINCE OF AGUSAN DEL NORTE AS A
PRIORITY TOURISM SITE AND APPROPRIATING FUNDS THEREOF

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

SECTION 1. The Punta Diwata located in Barangay Vinapor,
Municipality of Carmen, Province of Agusan del Norte is hereby
declared a priority tourist development site. As such, the Department
of Tourism (DOT) is mandated to incorporate it in the Philippine
National Tourism Development Plan.

SECTION2. | The DOT, in coordination with the Tourism
Infrastructure and Enterprise Zone Authority, shall within one (1) year
after the approval of this Act prepare a tourism development plan for
the area that will ensure its viability and environmental sustainability;
and undertake the implementation of the said plan.

SECTION 3. _ The DOT shall issue rules and regulations as it may
deem necessary for the implementation of this Act.

SECTION 4. The budget necessary to the implementation of the
provisions of this Act shall be charged to the appropriations for the
DOT under the General Appropriations Act or to the internally
generated funds of the TIEZA, or both.


SECTION 5. This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after its
publication in at least two (2) national newspapers of general
circulation.

Approved,