Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Quezon City, Metro Manila
NINETEENTH CONGRESS
First Regular Session
HOUSE BILL NO. _______________
Introduced by ANG PROBINSYANO
Party-List Representative Alfred Delos Santos
EXPLANATORY NOTE
Climate change is a reality that the world faces at this time. The nations
are confronted with a challenging task to hopefully make policy changes that
are significant enough to reduce its effects before it’s too late.
From
this
issue
comes
the
importance
of
introducing
necessary
adjustments
to
our
policy
approaches,
especially
in
tourism.
Industries
involved in tourism often consume one of the largest numbers of gigawatt
hours of electricity, petroleum, and other fuel products. In addition, with the
peculiar nature of the industry being mainly focused on exploring scenery,
drastic degeneration of the same may result if proper regulation does not take
place.
The Philippines, which is an archipelagic state, has been boasted as
having one of the best beaches and natural resources not only in the continent,
but in the world. However, it is also a reality that there have been instances
where our natural resources were exploited in the name of tourism. Recently,
Boracay Island has been rehabilitated to bring it back to its former beauty. If
action is not done, it is possible that we will soon face a myriad of problems in
our tourist spots that would take much more resources to repair than when it
is taken care of in the first place.
Hence, it is of utmost necessity that a law institutionalizing sustainable
approaches to tourism be passed. Through this legislation, our government
agencies will be mandated and empowered to take policy measures that align
with the concept of sustainable tourism and development which takes a
holistic and futuristic view of tourism. Not only will this benefit us economically
by preventing us from spending more for repairs; but it is also our duty to the
next generations to protect our archipelago so they can still witness its beauty
August 16, 2022
1:05 pm
3663


during their time. It is for these reasons that the passage of this bill is
earnestly sought.
ALFRED C. DELOS SANTOS
Representative, Ang Probinsyano Partylist


Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Quezon City, Metro Manila
NINETEENTH CONGRESS
First Regular Session
HOUSE BILL NO. _______________
Introduced by ANG PROBINSYANO
Party-List Representative Alfred Delos Santos
AN ACT
INSTITUTIONALIZING SUSTAINABLE TOURISM BY PROVIDING
STRENGTHENING MEASURES THEREFOR
Be it enacted by the Senate and the House of Representatives of the
Philippines in Congress assembled:
SECTION 1. Short Title. – This Act shall be known as the “Sustainable
Tourism Act of 2022.”
SECTION 2. Declaration of Policy. – It is the policy of the State to protect
and advance the right of the people to a balanced and healthful ecology in
accord with the rhythm and harmony of nature. In addition, the State shall
protect the nations marine wealth in its archipelagic waters, territorial sea, and
exclusive economic zone, and protect, develop, and conserve these natural
resources.
SECTION 3. Sustainable Tourism. – For the purposes of this Act,
“sustainable tourism” shall refer to an approach that reconciles tourism with
environmental sustainability.
SECTION 4. Scope. – This Act shall apply to all coastal and marine
areas, addressing the inter-linkages among associated watersheds, estuaries,
wetlands, and coastal areas by all relevant national and local agencies.
SECTION 5. Roles and Responsibilities. – All concerned national agencies
shall support the implementation of this Act and promote best practices that
fall within their respective mandates. The following shall identify, prepare, and
3663


provide policy guidance and technical resource assistance to the Department of
Environment and Natural Resources and the Local Government Units in the
implementation of this Act on a national and local scale:
a) The Department of Tourism shall provide technical and financial
assistance in marketing, promoting, and developing sustainable
coastal tourism projects.
b) The Department of Interior and Local Government shall take the
lead
in
partnering
with
Local
Government
Units
in
raising
awareness and promulgating policy measures in consonance with
the sustainable tourism approach.
c) The Department of Public Works and Highways shall ensure that
all infrastructure, whether public or private, be constructed and
maintained in an environmentally sustainable manner.
d) The Department of Environment and Natural Resources shall
regularly provide technical and financial assistance in monitoring
the status of our natural resources and shall provide measures to
prevent degeneration of such.
The Local Government Units shall likewise, provide for measures to
strengthen sustainable tourism in their respective jurisdictions. They shall
formulate and effectively implement their respective sustainable tourism plans
to ensure the quality of the natural resources within their territory. These
plans shall be regularly updated to address the changes in the natural
resources thereof.
SECTION 6. Private Sector. – This Act shall also empower the private
sector in engaging and partnering with the government in acts that further
improve the sustainable tourism approach. Non-governmental organizations,
civic organizations, the academe, people’s organizations, and the like shall be
tapped
by
the
government
in providing assistance in the planning and
execution of sustainable tourism plans.
SECTION 7. Reasonable Goals. – The national agencies concerned shall
be
tasked
to
provide
standards of measure by which the effect of the
implementation of sustainable tourism may be concretized. This shall include,
but will not be limited to:
a) Lower levels of chromophoric dissolved organic matter (CDOM) and
fluorescent dissolved organic matter (FDOM) in bodies of water.


b) Lack of excessive algal growth in ponds and lakes as measured using
algae intoximeters.
c) Low health risks based on Air Quality Health Index.
d) Restoration into the wild of flora, fauna, and animals which are on the
verge of extinction.
SECTION 8. Implementing Rules and Regulations. The Department of
Environment and Natural Resources, Department of Tourism, Department of
Interior
and
Local
Government,
and
the
Department
Public
Works
and
Highways shall promulgate the implementing rules and regulations of this Act
within ninety (90) days from its effectivity.
SECTION 9. Separability Clause. – If any provision or part of this Act is
held invalid or unconstitutional, the remaining provisions or parts unaffected
shall remain in full force and effect.
SECTION 10. Repealing Clause. – All laws, executive orders, presidential
decrees or issuances, letters of instruction, administrative orders, rules, and
regulations contrary to or inconsistent with the provisions of this Act are
hereby repealed, amended, or modified accordingly.
SECTION 11. Effectivity Clause. – This Act shall take effect fifteen (15)
days after its publication in the Official Gazette or in a newspaper of general
circulation.
Approved,