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Republic of the Philippines ar 4
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES RECEIVED
Quezon City =

EIGHTEENTH CONGRESS
First Regular Session

HOUSE BILL NO. 2944

Introduced by REP. PROSPERO A. PICHAY, JR.

Explanatory Note

Presidential Decree No. 189 gave birth to the Department of Tourism (DOT)
and the Philippine Tourism Authority (PTA) as its implementing arm for infrastructure
development.

The enactment of Republic Act No. 9593, otherwise known as the Tourism
Act of 2009, on May 12, 2009 reorganized the Philippine Tourism Authority (PTA) as
the Tourism Infrastructure and Enterprise Zone Authority (TIEZA), mandating the
latter to designate, regulate and supervise the Tourism Enterprise Zones (TEZs)
established under RA 9593, as well as develop, manage and supervise tourism
infrastructure projects in the country.

TIEZA is also tasked to be the principal agency responsible for the timely
collection of travel taxes. However, only fifty percent (50%) proceeds from the travel
tax collections accrue to the TIEZA to fund its operations. Forty percent (40%) of the
proceeds is allotted to the Higher Education Development Fund for tourism-related
educational programs and courses. Ten percent (10%) is for the National
Commission for Culture and Arts (NCCA).

Philippines is gifted with so many tourist destinations but we cannot promote
them because there are no facilities and infrastructures in place. We need to tap
these tourist destinations so we can attract more tourists. This will mean more
revenues, more employment and more investments, which will redound to more
taxes.

TIEZA having the mandate of the PTA to unify and integrate related activities
and services concerning tourism development should retain the whole proceeds from
its travel tax collection to fund its operations and other tourism infrastructure projects
in the country. In fact, TIEZA should get more subsidy from the National
Government to fast track the development of these tourist destinations.



Hence, this bill seeks to discontinue the allotment coming from the travel tax
collection to the Higher Education Development Fund and the NCCA, and such
revenue shall be utilized solely for tourism infrastructure projects alone.

In view of the foregoing, the immediate consideration and approval of this bill
is eamestly sought.

PROSPI A. PICHAY, JR.


Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Quezon City

EIGHTEENTH CONGRESS
First Regular Session

HOUSE BILL NO 2944

Introduced by REP. PROSPERO A. PICHAY, JR.

AN ACT
AMENDING CERTAIN PROVISION OF REPUBLIC ACT 9593, OTHERWISE
KNOWN AS THE TOURISM ACT OF 2009, AND APPROPRIATING FUNDS
THEREFOR

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

SECTION 1. Short Title - This Act shall be known as the Revised Tourism Act
of 2017

SECTION 2. Amendatory Provision.
a) Section 72 of Republic Act 9593 is hereby amended to read as follows:

“Section 72 - Funding - The TIEZA shall obtain the funds for its
operations
from the following:
a. Proceeds from travel tax collections;
b. Subsidy from the National Government;
c A reasonable share from the collections of the Office of
Resource Generation, to be determined by the
Department;
Income from projects managed by TIEZA; and
Subsidies or grants from local and foreign sources that
may be received by the TIEZA.”

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b) Section 73 of the same Act is hereby amended to read as follows:

“Section 73 — Collection and Allocation of Travel Taxes — For purposes
of

this Act, the TIEZA shall be the principal agency responsible for the

timely collection of travel taxes.

Amounts to be collected by the TIEZA shall be utilized for its
operations and other tourism infrastructure projects in the country.


SEC. 3. Separability Clause. - If any provisions of this Act shall be held
unconstitutional or invalid, the other provisions not otherwise affected shall remain in
full force and effect.

SEC. 4. Repealing Clause. — All laws, executive orders or issuances, or any
parts thereof, which are inconsistent herewith are hereby repealed and amended
accordingly.

SEC. 5. Effectivity Clause. — This Act shall take effect upon its publication in
at least one (1) newspaper of general circulation.

Approved,

Approved,