Republic of the Philippines 
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES 
Quezon City, Metro Manila 
TWENTIETH CONGRESS 
First Regular Session 
HOUSE BILL NO. 1309 
INTRODUCED BY REP. STEPHEN JAMES T. TAN 
EXPLANATORY NOTE 
The City of Calbayog is endowed with natural wonders and considered as the 
“City of Waterfalls” with Busay Falls, Angel Falls, Bangon Falls, Macatingog Falls, 
Onoyan Falls and Tarangban Falls, to name a few. 
Tarangban Falls is one of the most popular tourism sites in the City of Calbayog 
with its majestic waterfalls and rock formations where the water flows through which 
add character and symmetry to its flow. It is located 42 kilometers away from the city 
proper, about one hour travel time and is accessible to all types of land transport. 
The establishment of Tarangban Falls as ecotourism site under this proposed 
bill will promote its potential for other tourism related activities and help complement 
the current uptick in tourism arrivals in the city as gateway of visitors from other 
regions. It will also support the sustainable tourism development initiatives under the 
Spark Samar Development Agenda. Ecotourism and sustainable development give 
focus on the triple bottom line (3P’s in Tourism) – People, Planet and Profit, a 
framework that is incorporated in the SSDA. 
The proposed bill will also place Calbayog City in the tourism map of Eastern 
Visayas and the Philippines. 
In view of the foregoing, approval of this bill is earnestly sought. 
STEPHEN JAMES T. TAN 
July 7, 2025
8:00 am


Republic of the Philippines 
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES 
Quezon City, Metro Manila 
TWENTIETH CONGRESS 
First Regular Session 
HOUSE BILL NO. 1309 
INTRODUCED BY REP. STEPHEN JAMES T. TAN 
AN ACT DECLARING THE TARANGBAN FALLS IN BRGY TINAPLACAN IN THE 
CITY OF CALBAYOG, PROVINCE OF SAMAR AN ECOTOURISM SITE AND 
APPROPRIATING FUNDS THEREFOR 
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the Philippines in 
Congress assembled: 
SECTION 1. Short title. - This act shall be known as the “Tarangban Falls 
Ecotourism Act.” 
SECTION 2. Declaration of Policy. - It is hereby declared the policy of the 
State to promote a tourism industry that is ecologically sustainable, responsible, 
participative, culturally sensitive, economically viable and equitable for local 
communities. To this end, the State shall endeavor to provide the proper mechanisms 
and infrastructures for sustainable tourism development. It shall promote and develop 
certain areas and sites identified as tourist destinations or attractions or having 
potential for tourism to drive and propel inclusive growth throughout the country.  
SECTION 3. The Tarangban Falls Ecotourism Site. The Tarangban Falls in 
the City of Calbayog, Province of Samar is hereby established as an ecotourism site. 
Its development shall be incorporated in the Department of Tourism’s (DOT) National 
Tourism Development Plan (NTDP) successor plan for 2023 – 2028 and be jointly 
implemented with the City of Calbayog and Provincial Tourism Office of the Province  


 
 
of Samar. The construction and maintenance of infrastructure facilities in the area shall 
be a shared responsibility of the DOT and the local government unit with emphasis on 
sustainable development and resource management. 
SECTION 4. Appropriations. - The DOT, DENR, DPWH, and LGU shall 
include in its Annual Investment Program (AIP) the implementation of this Act, the 
funding of which shall be included in the annual General Appropriations Act. 
SECTION 5. Implementing Rules and Regulations. - The Samar Tourism 
Council, after due consultation with the DOT, DENR, DPWH, LGUs, and other 
stakeholders, shall promulgate the rules and regulations for the proper implementation 
of this Act within sixty (60) days after its effectivity. Provided, That the law shall take 
effect after sixty (60) days with or without the IRR. 
SECTION 6. Separability Clause. - If any provision of this Act is declared 
unconstitutional, the other provisions not affected thereby shall remain in full force and 
effect.  
SECTION 7. Repealing Clause. - All laws, presidential decrees, executive 
orders, and issuances, proclamations, rules and regulations, and other issuances 
contrary to or inconsistent with the provisions of this Act shall be deemed amended 
accordingly. 
SECTION 8. Effectivity. - This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after its 
complete publication in the Official Gazette or in a national newspaper of general 
circulation. 
Approved,