1 
Republic of the Philippines 
House of Representatives 
Quezon City, Metro Manila 
NINETEENTH CONGRESS 
First Regular Session 
HOUSE BILL NO. ______ 
___________________________________________________________ 
Introduced by Representative ED CHRISTOPHER S. GO 
___________________________________________________________ 
AN ACT 
IDENTIFYING TOURISM DEVELOPMENT AREAS IN THE PROVINCE OF 
ISABELA, MANDATING SUPPORT FOR TOURISM DEVELOPMENT, 
CREATING THE ISABELA TOURISM COUNCIL, AND APPROPRIATING 
FUNDS THEREFOR 
EXPLANATORY NOTE 
The Province of Isabela is home to some of the most captivating potential 
tourism destinations in Northern Luzon. A sample of these landmarks include: 
Aguinaldo Shrine, Bonsai Forest, Camp Samal, Crocodile Sanctuary of San 
Mariano, Dibulo Falls, Dicotcotan Beach, Fuyot Springs National Park, Giant 
Butaka, Honeymoon Island, Landmark of Heroes, Maconacon Falls, Magat Dam 
Tourism Complex, Mororan River, Palanan Rainforest, and Sinavulluan Caves.  
Despite Isabela’s great potential as a heritage and ecotourism powerhouse, 
the province’s tourism infrastructure is severely underdeveloped. There is also a 
critical lack of long-term planning for tourism development. As such, Isabela’s 
potential as a tourism powerhouse remains undeveloped, and opportunities for 
economic growth and job creation in the tourism sector remain underutilized. 
In order to finally bring Isabela’s full tourism potential to realization, this 
bill seeks the creation of the Isabela Tourism Council to identify and nurture 
August 12, 2022
2:58 pm
3574


 2 
Tourism Development Areas throughout the province. This will set the stage for 
the crafting of a Provincial Tourism Development Plan that will be incorporated 
into the National Tourism Development Plan under the Department of Tourism. 
The implementation of this Act would result in the development of provincial 
tourism support facilities and infrastructure as we seek to unlock the true 
potential of the Province of Isabela as a domestic and international tourism 
powerhouse. This would serve as a catalyst for a province-wide tourism boom 
and stimulate significant economic growth for the benefit of the people of Isabela. 
 
The bill in its present form was approved by the House of Representatives 
on third and final reading as House Bill No. 9999 on September 14, 2021 during 
the 18th Congress of the Philippines.  
In line with the foregoing, the swift approval of this measure is respectfully 
sought from the members of the House. 
 
 
 
                                                          ED CHRISTOPHER S. GO 
 
 
 
 
 
 
         Representative  
         
 
 
 
              2nd District, Isabela 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 


 3 
Republic of the Philippines 
House of Representatives 
Quezon City, Metro Manila 
NINETEENTH CONGRESS 
First Regular Session 
HOUSE BILL NO. ______ 
__________________________________________________________ 
Introduced by Representative ED CHRISTOPHER S. GO 
__________________________________________________________ 
AN ACT 
IDENTIFYING TOURISM DEVELOPMENT AREAS IN THE PROVINCE OF 
ISABELA, MANDATING SUPPORT FOR TOURISM DEVELOPMENT, 
CREATING THE ISABELA TOURISM COUNCIL, AND APPROPRIATING 
FUNDS THEREFOR 
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the Philippines in 
Congress assembled: 
SECTION 1.  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 infrastructure for sustainable tourism 
development. It shall develop and promote certain areas and sites identified as 
tourist destinations or attractions in order to drive and propel inclusive growth 
throughout the country. 
Pursuant thereto, all areas within the Province of Isabela endowed with 
natural beauty or historical and cultural significance, with either existing or 
potential integrated leisure facilities developed for one or more tourism purpose, 
shall be considered tourism development areas. 
3574


 4 
 
SEC. 2. Identification and Declaration of Tourism Sites. – Areas in 
the Province of Isabela that have potential for tourism shall be declared as 
ecotourism, cultural heritage tourism, health and wellness tourism, general 
leisure tourism, or mixed- use tourism sites after consultation with the 
Department of Tourism (DOT): Provided, That areas in environmentally 
protected areas shall not be declared tourism sites without consultation with 
the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR). 
 
The survey and verification of the areas shall be conducted by the 
National Mapping and Resource Information Authority, in coordination with 
the Provincial Government of Isabela. 
 
SEC. 3. Isabela Tourism Council. – There is hereby created the Isabela 
Tourism Council, hereinafter referred to as Council, which shall be the primary 
policy-making, planning and coordinating body in the development of tourism 
in the Province of Isabela and the administration of tourism sites therein. It 
shall be composed of the following members: 
 
a) Provincial Governor of Isabela, as Chairperson; 
b) Municipal Mayors of all the municipalities and cities of the Province 
of Isabela, who shall elect from among themselves the Council’s Vice 
Chairperson; 
c)  Member of the Sangguniang Panlalawigan of Isabela, duly designated 
by such body; and 
d) Two (2) representatives from the private sector, appointed by the 
Chairperson of the Council, who shall serve for a period of two (2) years. 
 
The Provincial Government of Isabela shall provide a Secretariat for the 
Council including the funding necessary to cover expenses for the performance 
of its official functions and activities. 
 


 5 
 
SEC. 4. Functions of the Council. – The Council shall have the 
following functions: 
 
a)  Identify and declare areas as tourism sites; 
b) Formulate programs and recommendations and manage local resources 
and funds to develop local tourism facilities and attractions; 
c)  Assist in the regulation and supervision of tourism-oriented 
establishments, thereby ensuring wholesome and clean tourism activities; 
d) Assist in monitoring the implementation of the Local Government 
Code on the licensing of tourism establishments in the locality to ascertain 
safe and enjoyable stay of travelers; 
e) Strictly enforce health and sanitary standards in public restrooms 
frequented by public utility vehicles and tourist transport services, i.e., 
gasoline stations and restaurants along main highways and bus stops; and 
f) Perform any other duties in accordance with the guidelines issued 
by the Department of the Interior and Local Government. 
 
SEC. 5. Isabela Tourism Development Plan. – The DOT shall, in 
coordination with the Council and concerned local government units (LGUs) 
and agencies of the government, prepare a tourism development plan for 
the Province of Isabela and incorporate the same in its overall tourism 
development plan pursuant to Republic Act No. 9593, otherwise known as the 
“Tourism Act of 2009”. The development plan shall be jointly implemented with 
the concerned LGUs and the Council. 
 
The concerned LGUs shall, in coordination with the DOT, DENR, the 
Tourism Infrastructure and Enterprise Zone Authority and other concerned 
agencies of the government, delineate well defined geographic areas within 
the tourism sites and coordinate the integrated development of these sites for 
the optimal use of natural assets and attractions, as well as of existing 


 6 
facilities: Provided, That said development plan shall ensure the preservation of 
the ecological balance and natural beauty of the areas. 
 
Upon the promulgation of this Act, the Department of Public Works 
and Highways (DPWH) shall, in coordination with the DOT and the Council, 
implement the construction 
and 
improvement 
of 
roads 
and 
other 
infrastructure 
necessary in the development of tourism sites and shall 
incorporate the same in its infrastructure program. 
 
SEC. 6. Appropriations. – The Secretaries of DOT, DPWH, DENR 
and Department of Transportation (DOTr) shall include in their respective 
Department’s program the implementation of this Act, the funding of which 
shall be included in the annual General Appropriations Act and shall augment 
such allocation with internally generated funds of the DOT. 
 
SEC. 7. Implementing Rules and Regulations. – Within sixty (60) days 
from the effectivity of this Act, the Council shall, in consultation with the DOT, 
DENR, DPWH, DOTr, the National Economic and Development Authority 
and other concerned government agencies and stakeholders, promulgate the 
necessary rules and regulations for the proper implementation of this Act. 
 
SEC. 8. Separability Clause. – If any provision of this Act shall be 
declared unconstitutional or invalid, the other provisions not affected thereby 
shall remain in full force and effect. 
 
SEC. 9. Repealing Clause. – All laws, rules, regulations, executive 
orders, proclamations, presidential decrees and other issuances inconsistent 
with any of the provisions of this Act are hereby deemed repealed or amended 
accordingly. 
 
SEC. 10. Effectivity. – This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days 
after its publication in the Official Gazette or in a newspaper of general 
circulation. 


 7 
 
Approved,