Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Quezon City, Metro Manila

NINETEENTH CONGRESS
First Regular Session

HOUSE BILL NO. _ 608

Introduced by HON. EDGAR M. CHATTO
First District, Bohol

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EXPLANATORY NOTE

The municipality of Loon in the province of Bohol, consisting of 67
barangays, has been bestowed with rich marine paradise, natural lakes, waterfalls
and mangrove gardens, among others. The Cabilao and Sandingan islands,
located in Loon, are considered favorite tourist destinations. With the
development of an international cruise port in Catagbacan, Loon is viewed as an
emerging giant of Bohol’s eco-cultural tourism industry.

‘The entire islands of Cabilao (766 hectares) and Sandigan (569 hectares)
were proclaimed as Mangrove Swamp Forest Reserves under Proclamation No.
2152 in 1981. This was confirmed upon the passage of Republic Act 7586, or the
National Integrated Protected Areas System (NIPAS) Act of 1992.

However, only the barangay of Canigaan and a portion of Calayugan of
Sandingan Island and Lake Danao in Barangay Pantudlan of Cabilao Island have
actual mangroves worthy to be protected and covered under the NIPAS Act. A big
percentage of these islands remain agricultural, residential and with very few
commercial establishments. These islands have remained idle and unproductive
for a long time, once reclassified, will open the opportunity for tourism, business
and economic developments. These islands, like Panglao, will undoubtedly be
hailed as one of the world’s famous tourist destinations and another addition to
Philippines’ pride once developed as it boasts of beautiful diving spots sought
after by diving enthusiasts. Panglao is among the disestablished islands under the
NIPAS Act.

Section 5 (4) of the NIPAS Act mandates that within three (3) years from
the effectivity, the DENR shall study and review each area composing the system
as to its suitability or non-suitability for preservation as protected area. However,
more than twenty (20) years had elapsed, the DENR has yet to submit a study
and a review on the suitability or non-suitability of the two (2) islands to be
included in the system.

With the steady influx of tourists to these areas in recent years, demands
for transportation and accomodation complete with facilities must be met. Thus,
it is the desire of the local government that the inclusion of these islands under
the NIPAS Act be modified and limited to mangrove areas and natural lakes
where migratory birds are seen and unique species of fish are found. This will
allow development of the area and the improvement of transportation to the
benefit of the constituents and tourists.

\Under the NIPAS Act, disestablishment of a protected area under the
System or modification of its boundary shall take effect pursuant to an Act of
Congress. Hence, this proposed legislation seeks to exclude certain portions of


the islands of Cabilao and Sandingan from the coverage of protected areas under
the NIPAS Act and to lift the ban in the titling of lots of the two islands which is
greatly disadvantageous to the lot owners, prejudicial to the welfare of its
constituents, and counterproductive to the economic development of the islands.

In view of the foregoing, the immediate passage of this bill is sought.

ihe

EDGAR M. CHATTO


Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Quezon City, Metro Manila

NINETEENTH CONGRESS
First Regular Session

HOUSE BILLNo. 508

Introduced by HON. EDGAR M. CHATTO
First District, Bohol

“AN ACT
REC) SIFYING CERTAIN PARCELS OF LAND LOCATED AT THE
Is) OF CABILAO AND SANDINGAN IN THE MUNICIPALITY OF

LOON, PROVINCE OF BOHOL, INTO ALIENABLE AND DISPOSABLE
LANDS AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES”

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

SECTION 1. Reclassification as Alienable and Disposable Land.
— Certain portions of the islands of Cabilao and Sandingan in the municipality of
Loon, Province of Bohol, with total areas of Seven Hundred Sixty Six Hectares
(766 has) and Five Hundred Sixty Nine hectares (569 has), respectively, are
hereby declared as alienable and disposable lands, thus, excluded from the
coverage of protected areas under the National Integrated Protected Areas
System (NIPAS) Act of 1992 as provided under Rule 8 of DENR Administrative
Order No. 2008-26.

The inclusion of these whole islands under the NIPAS Act will therefor be
modified and limited to the actual mangrove areas and the natural lake where
migratory birds are seen and unique species of fish are found.

SECTION 2. Implementing Rules and Regulations. — Within six (6)
months following the effectivity of this Act, the Secretary of the DENR shall issue
the necessary rules and regulations for the effective implementation of this Act.

SECTION 3. Effectivity. This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after
its publication in the Official Gazette or in two (2) national newspapers of general
circulation.

Approved,