NINETEENTH CONGRESS OF THE 
 ) 
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES    
  ) 
First Regular Session     
  ) 
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES 
H. No. _______
Introduced by Representative Raul C. Tupas 
AN ACT DECLARING THE ISLAS DE GIGANTES IN THE MUNICIPALITY OF 
CARLES, PROVINCE OF ILOILO AS AN ECOTOURISM ZONE AND 
APPROPRIATING FUNDS THEREFOR 
EXPLANATORY NOTE 
Travel and tourism remain to be among the largest economic sectors in the 
Philippines. After the pandemic, he booming travel and tourism sector is currently 
driving the growth of many industries as it continues to create jobs, drive exports and 
generate prosperity for the country. 
Pursuant to the policy of the State to promote sustainable tourism industry 
throughout the country, this bill seeks to declare the Islas de Gigantes in the Municipality 
of Carles, Province of lloilo as an ecotourism zone with the goal of developing and 
promoting the island into a tourist destination, generating investments and creating job 
opportunities, and protecting the natural resources within the area. 
Islas de Gigantes is an island chain within the larger Western Visayas 
archipelago in the Visayan Sea. It is politically located in the Municipality of Carles, lloilo 
and has four barangays: (1) Asluman; (2) Granada; (3) Lantangan; and (4) Gabi. 
The Gigantes Islands consist of several islands; the two largest are Gigantes 
Norte (North Gigantes) and Gigantes Sur (South Gigantes). In addition to the two main 
islands, the Gigantes group includes the following minor islets: Cabugao Gamay, 
Cabugao Dako, Bulubadiang, Gigantillo, Antonia, Bantigui, Tanguingui, Turnina, 
Polopandan, Waydahon and Gigantuna. 
The islands are blessed with pristine white sand beaches, bountiful fresh 
seafood, and jagged rock formations. Some of the main tourist attractions are the 
Cabugao Gamay Island, Tangke Salt Water Lagoon, and the North Gigantes Island 
Lighthouse. Despite the increase of tourist arrivals in recent years, Gigantes has 
retained its off-beat charm and remains relatively underdeveloped compared 
July 11, 2022
9:22 am
1751




NINETEENTH CONGRESS OF THE 
 ) 
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES    
 ) 
First Regular Session     
   ) 
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES 
H. No. ______
Introduced by Representative Raul C. Tupas 
AN ACT 
1 
DECLARING THE ISLAS DE GIGANTES LOCATED IN THE 
2 
MUNICIPALITY OF CARLES, PROVINCE OF ILOILO, AN 
3 
ECOTOURISM ZONE AND APPROPRIATING FUNDS THEREFOR 
4 
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Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the 
6 
Philippines in Congress assembled: 
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SECTION 1. This Act shall be known as the “Islas de Gigantes Ecotourism 
9 
Zone Act.” 
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SECTION 2. It is hereby declared the policy of the State to promote a 
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tourism industry that is ecologically sustainable, responsible, participative, 
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culturally-sensitive, economically viable and equitably beneficial to local 
14 
communities. 
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SECTION 3. The Islas de Gigantes, consisting of four (4) barangays, 
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namely, Asluman, Granada, Lantangan and Gabi, all located in the 
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Municipality of Carles, Province of Iloilo, is hereby declared an ecotourism 
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zone, to be known as the “Islas de Gigantes Ecotourism Zone”. As such, 
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its development shall be prioritized by the Department of Tourism (DOT), 
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subject to the rules and regulations governing the development of 
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ecotourism zones. 
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Within six (6) months from the approval of this Act, the DOT, in 
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coordination with the Department of Environment and Natural Resources 
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(DENR), the Tourism Infrastructure and Enterprise Zone Authority (TIEZA) 
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and the municipal government of Carles, shall prepare and jointly 
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implement the development plan for Islas de Gigantes, and shall 
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incorporate the same in the National Tourism Development Plan. 
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The DOT, in coordination with the DENR, the TIEZA, the 
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municipal government of Carles and other concerned agencies of the 
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government, shall delineate well-defined geographic areas within the Islas 
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de Gigantes Ecotourism Zone and coordinate the integrated development 
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of the area for the optimum use of natural assets and attractions. The 
1 
development shall ensure the preservation of the flora and fauna and 
2 
perpetuate the historic significance of the identified tourist attractions. 
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SECTION 4. The Secretaries of the DOT and DENR shall include in their 
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respective Department’s program the implementation of this Act, the 
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funding of which shall be included in the annual General Appropriations 
7 
Act and from internally generated funds of the DOT. 
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SETION. 5. Within sixty (60) days after the effectivity of this Act, the 
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Secretary of the DOT, in consultation with the DENR, the TIEZA and the 
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municipal government of Caries, shall promulgate the necessary rules and 
11 
regulations for the effective implementation of this Act. 
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SECTION 6. All laws, rules, regulations, presidential decrees and other 
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issuances inconsistent with any of the provisions of this Act are hereby 
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deemed repealed or amended accordingly. 
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SECTION 7. This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after its publication 
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in the Official Gazette or in a newspaper of general circulation. 
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Approved, 
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