SIXTEENTH CONGRESS OF THE 
) 
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES) 
First Regular Session 
) 
SENATE 
990 
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Introduced by Senator Antonio "Sonny" F. Trillanes IV 
EXPLANATORY NOTE 
This bill aims to recognize. Drotect and Dromote the PhiliDDines' most outstanding roads having 
one of six core int~insi~' qualities -' scenic, historic: 'cultural, natural, rec~eational, and 
archaeological qualities - features which contribute to the character of the roadway and its 
communities. The National Scenic Byways designation aims to award routes that show the 
rel1ional c.hJlrllc.teri.<ti(;S of the nation',< Coulture. historv and land<c,,,ne 
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National Scenic Byways represent the best of all scenic byways and provide visitors with a 
unique travel experience since they arc considered tourist attractions in their own right. Under 
this measure, if a route is designated as such, it does not only gain an expected boost in tourism. 
but also beC01ileS eligible for appropriations for iUlprOVe111enls such as interpretive centers, 
overlooks, and rest areas, Moreover, local residents will be encouraged to work closely with the 
Government and civic organizations to preserve and promote the unique local beauty and 
distinctive character of their own community, 
Recognition of scenic byways focuses not only on the promotion of roads, but also helps balance 
economic development and resource conservation in the localities, In the United States of 
America, strong' scenk byways program, dem'onstrated strong community support and even 
encouraged the citizens to develop a corridor luanagei11eUt plan that describes in detail the 
preservation, marketing, and improvement strategies for the byway, 
This program. seeks to preserve the beauty of the designated scenic corridors, which reaps 
revvard's by protecting cDiiiniUl1ity character while prDviding eCDiitHl1ic opportunities in touTisH1 
and recreation, 
Approval of this bill is earnestly urged, 
A TO () "s():ti~ 
AN"' IV 
Senator 
1 


SIXTEENTH CONGRESS OF THE 
) 
REPUBLIC OF' THE PHlLlPPINI<:S) 
l'irst Regular Session 
) 
'13 
JUL n P 1 :'j7 
SENATE 
990 
Introduced by Senator Antonio "Sonny" F. Trillanes IV 
AN ACT 
RECOGNIZING NATIONAL SCENIC BYWAYS lNTHE PHILIPPlNES THEREBY 
CREATING A NATIONAL SCENIC BYWAYS PROGRAM, AND FOR OTHER 
PURPOSES 
He it enacted hy the Senate and the House of Representatives of the Philippines in Congress 
asse11lhled: 
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SECTION 1. Short Title . ... This Act shall be known as the "National Scenic Byways 
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Program of2013." 
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SEC. 2. Definition of Terms. - For the purpose of this Act, the words and phrases used 
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herein shall mean: 
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1) Grants - a non-repayable, non-bearing assistance or aid, given either through 
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monetary or in kind, (0 encourage development or growth in an area. 
2) Byway - a minor or secondary road; a road other than the main road. 
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3) t.Jationu} Scenic Byvvay - a road that is recognized for its archaeological, cultural, 
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historic, natural, recreational, and/or scenic qualities. 
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SEC. 3. IJestgnaliufi o/RiJads.-
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I) In general. - The Secretary of Department of Tourism (DOT) shall carry out a national 
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scenic byways program that recognizes roads having outstanding scenic, historic, 
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CUltural, l1alurai, recTeational, and archaeological qualities by desjgnating the Toads as 
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"National Scenic Byways". 
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12) Criteria; - The DOT Secretary shaH designate roads to be recognized under the national scenic 
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byways program in accordance with the criteria developed by the department. 
33) Nomination. - To be considered for a designation, a road must be nominated by a national 
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government agency, local government unit (LGU), or a civic organization situated in the locality 
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of the road to be nominated. 
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4) Reciprocal notification. - National Government agencies, LGUs, and civic organizations shall 
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notify each other regarding nominations made under this subsection for roads that: 
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a) are within the jurisdictional boundary of the National Government agencies, LGUs, and civic 
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organizations; or 
lOb) directly connect to roads for which the National Government agencies, LGUs, and civic 
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organizations is responsible. 
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SEC. 4. Grants and Technical Assistance. 
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1) In general. - The DOT Secretary shall make grants and provide technical assistance to 
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National government agencies, LGUs, civic organizations to-
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a) implement projects on highways designated as National Scenic Byways. 
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b) plan, design, and develop a National Government agency, LGU or civic 
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organization scenic byway program. 
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2) Priorities. - In making grants, the DOT Secretary shall give priority to -
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a) each eligible project that is associated with a highway that has been designated as a 
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National Scenic Byway and that is consistent with the corridor management plan for the byway; 
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b) each eligible project along a National Government agency, LGU or civic organization 
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scenic byway that is consistent with the corridor management plan for the byway, or is intended 
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to foster the development of such a plan, and is carried out to make the byway eligible for 
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designation as a National Scenic Byway; and 
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c) each eligible project that is associated with the development of a National Government 
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agency, LGU or civic organization scenic byway program. 
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SEC. 5. Establishment of Philippines' Byways Resource Center. 
S 
I) In general. -
The DOT Secretary shall allocate funds made available to carry out the 
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establishment of the Philippines' Byways Resource Center (PBRC). DOT shaH oversee and 
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manage the resources of the center. 
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2) 
Technical Support and Education. -
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a) 
Use of Flmds. -. The Center shall use funds allocated to the Center under this 
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II 
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section to continue to provide technical support and conduct educational activities for the 
national scenic byways program. 
b) 
Eligible Activities, -. Technical S\lpport and educational activities carried out 
under this sub-section shall provide local officials and organizations associated with National 
Scenic Byways, with proactive, technical, and on-site customized assistance, including training, 
communications (including a public awareness series), publications, conferences, on-site 
meetings, and other assistance considered appropriate to develop and sustain such byways and 
roads. 
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SEC. 6. Eligible Projects . • The following are projects that are eligible for Government 
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assistance under this section: 
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I) An activity related to the planning, design, or development of a National Government agency, 
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LGU or civic organization scenic byway program. 
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2) Development and implementation of a corridor management plan to maintain the scenic, 
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historical, recreational, cultural, natural, and archaeological characteristics of a byway corridor 
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while providing for accommodation of increased tourism and development of related amenities. 
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· 
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3) Safety improvements to a National Government scenic byway, LGU scenic byway or National 
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Scenic Byway, to the extent that the improvements are necessary to accommodate increased 
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traffic and changes in the types of vehicles using the highway as a result of the designation as a 
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Government scenic byway, civic orgariization scenic byway or National Scenic Byway. 
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4) Construction along a scenic byway of a facility for pedestrians and bicyclists, rest area, 
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turnout, highway shoulder improvement, overlook, or interpretive facility. 
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5) An improvement to a scenic byway that will enhance access to an area for the purpose of 
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recreation, including water-related recreation. 
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6) Protection of scenic, historical, recreational, cultural, natural, and archaeological resources in 
lOan area adjacent to a scenic byway. 
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7) Development and provision of tourist information to the public, including interpretive 
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information about a scenic byway. 
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8) Development and implementation of a scenic byway marketing program. 
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SEC. 7. Limitatioll of Grallts. - The DOT Secretary shall not make a grant under this 
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section for any project that would not protect the scenic, historical, recreational, cultural, natural, 
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and archaeological integrity of a highway and adjacent areas. 
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SEC. 8. Savillgs Clause. - The DOT Secretary shall not withhold any grant or impose 
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any requirement on a National Government, LGU or civic organization as a condition of 
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providing a grant or technical assistance for any scenic byway unless the requirement is 
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consistent with the authority provided in this Act. 
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SEC. 9. Regulatioll. The DOT Secretary, in consultation with all concerned 
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stakeholders shall issue the necessary rules and regulations of this Act within ninety (90) days 
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after the effectivity of this Act. 
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.. 
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SEC. 10. Appropriations. - The amount necessary to carry out the provisions of this 
2 
Act shall be provided out of the savings from the appropriations of the DOT for the current year. 
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Thereafter, the sum necessary for the implementation of this Act shall be appropriated in the 
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annual appropriations of the DOT. 
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SEC. 11. Repealing Clause. All laws, decrees, orders, mles and regulations or parts 
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thereof inconsistent with this Act are hereby repealed or amended accordingly. 
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SEC. 12. Effectivity. This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days upon its publication in 
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at least two (2) general newspapers of national circulation. 
Approved, 
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