Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Quezon City
NINETEENTII CONGRESS
Second Regular Session
HoUSEBILLNO.    8618
Introduced by Rep. Lolita Karen T. Javier
ERTLANATORY NOTE
This bill  seeks to declare the Kalabato Hot Springs  and Eco-park which  is  geographically
located in the Municipality of La Paz Leyte as a tourism spot and to promote the area as a feasible
tourist destination.
The Kalabato Hot Springs and Eco-park is a known tourist destination in Barangay Bocawon,
La Paz, is within the area covered by the Mahagnao Volcano National Park, which is a protected area
encompassing 635 hectares land area from Burauen and MacArthur and is about eight kilometers away
from the town center.
The local govemment's efforts to develop and promote the Kalabato Hot Springs and Eco-park
is the result of increased inflow of tourists.  Kalabato is a rock-like formation that got its unique name
from the hot water that springs out at its top with a shape similar to a "kalabasa" or squash and "bato"
or  stone.    These  geologic  fomatious  line  at the  bank of the  Gimiranat River by  the  foot  of Mt.
Malacagang in Bocawon.
With the enactment of this Bill, the Hot Spring has the potential to become a maj.or tourist
destination and this will boost the great beauty as well as maintain the protection of the environment
and natural resources within the area.
Consequently, the objective of this bill is to declare the Kalabato Hot Springs and Eco-park as
a national tourist destination, promoting the sustainable development of the area. This will attract more
tourists to explore and enjoy the tourist spot in the Municipality of La Paz, Leyte, and will create more
job  opportunities  and help  in the  economic  recovery of the  locality.   This will  also  convince  and
encourage stakeholders to invest and contribute for the sustainable development of the area.
Pursuant to Republic Act 11262, the amended RA 9593, also known as "The Tourism Act of
2009" which provides for the State to ensure the development of the Philippine tourism that is for the
people and by the people, conserve and promote their heritage, national identity and sense of unity and
also  recognize  the  sustainable  tourism  development  as  integral  to  the  national  socioeconomic
development efforts to improve the quality of life of the Filipino people


Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Quezon City
NINETEENTH CONGRESS
Second Regular Session
HOUSE BILL No 8618
Introduced by Rep. Lolita Karen T. Javier
AN ACT
DECLARING  TIIE  KALABAT0  HOT  SPRINGS  AND  ECO-PARK  AND  ITS  PREMISES
LOCATED  IN  BARANGAY  BOCAWON,  LA  PAZ,  LEYTE  AS  A  TOURIST  SPOT  AND
APPROPRIATING FUNDS THEREFOR
Be it enacted by the Senate and the House Of Representatives Of the Philippines, in Congress
assembled:
SECTION  1. The Kalabato Hot Springs and Eco-Park and its premises situated in Barangay
Bocawon, La Paz, Leyte is hereby declared as a tourist spot. As such, it shall be accorded priority
development by the Department of Tourism (DOT), and shall be subject to the rules and regulations
governing the development of tourist spots.
SECTION 2. The DOT, in coordination with the Tourism Infrastnicture and Enterprise Zone
Authority and other concerned agencies of the government, shall, within one ( 1 ) year after the approval
of this Act, prepare the development plan involving the construction, installation and/or maintenance
of such appropriate facilities which shall enhance tourism in the area and submit the said development
plan to the Leyte Tourism Council for approval.
SECTION 3. The DOT shall take inmediate steps to implement the said development plan and
incorporate the same in the Department's overall tourism development program for the ensuing calendar
year.
SECTION 4. The DOT shall likewise promulgate the necessary rules and regulations for the
proper implementation of this Act.
SECTION 5.  The amount necessary to implement the provisions of this Act, including the
Feasibility Study, shall be charged against the appropriations under the annual General Appropriations
Act and/or intemally generated funds of the DOTITIEZA.
SECTION 6. This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after publication in the Official Gazette
or in two (2) national newspaper of general circulation.
Approved,