Republic of the Philippines RECEIVED
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES } a, 28 dUL 2016
Quezon City, Metro Manila “e

Seventeenth Congress
First Regular Session

HOUSE BILL NO. elll

Introduced by Hon. Frederick F. Abueg

EXPLANATORY NOTE

This bill was filed in the Sixteenth Congress as House Bill No. 4998 and was
substituted by House Bill No. 6229. It has been approved for three readings at the House
of Representatives and was transmitted to the Senate of the Philippines on January 6,
2016. It was subsequently received by the upper House on same date per House
Committee Report No. 00925.

The proposed bill seeks to declare Mainit Falls and Hot Springs located in
Barangay Mainit, Municipality of Brooke’s Point, Palawan as tourist destination. Mainit
Falls and Hot Springs is located ten (10) kilometers away from the town proper. It will
take approximately thirty (30) minutes by car.

Water from Mainit Falls drops at a height of fifty (50) meters into a natural pool. It
serves as a source of drinking water to the residents living near the area. It also irrigates
neighboring rice fields. On the other hand, Mainit Hotsprings, which is located a few
meters from the waterfalls, is known for its medicinal property. Its sulfuric waters became
known not only to local residents but also to foreign visitors. The Zrogonoptera Trojana,
a species of butterflies that is endemic to Palawan, is also abundant in the area.

While the tourism potential of the area is being encouraged by the local
government, it is undeniable that national help, through the Department of Tourism, will
further improve tourism in the locality.

In view of the policy of the State to promote tourism industry as an indispensable
element to national economy and as declared in Republic Act 9593, otherwise known as
“The Tourism Act of 2009,” the approval of this bill is earnestly recommended.

—

FREDERICK F. ABUEG
Representative\2™ District of Palawan



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

Seventeenth Congress
First Regular Session

HOUSE BILLNO,__ 2111

Introduced by Hon. Frederick F. Abueg

AN ACT
DECLARING MAINIT FALLS AND HOT SPRINGS IN THE MUNICIPALITY
OF BROOKE’S POINT, PROVINCE OF PALAWAN AS TOURIST
DESTINATION, PROVIDING FOR ITS DEVELOPMENT AND
APPROPRIATING FUNDS THEREFOR

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

1 SECTION 1. The Mainit Falls and Hot Springs located in Barangay

2 Mainit, Brooke’s Point, Palawan is hereby declared tourist destination. As such,
3 it shall be accorded with priority development by the Department of Tourism
4 (DOT) and shall be subject to the rules and regulations governing the
5 development of tourist destination.

6 SEC. 2. The Department of Tourism, in coordination with the local
7 government units and other concerned agencies of the government shall, within
8 one (1) year after the approval of this Act, prepare a development plan involving
9 the construction, installation and maintenance of such appropriate facilities and
10 infrastructure to enhance tourism in the area; Provided, That said development


plan shall ensure the preservation and conservation of the natural resources of

the area.

SEC. 3. The Department of Tourism shall take immediate steps in
implementing the tourism development plan that will suit the natural
characteristic of Mainit Falls and Hot Springs and shall incorporate the same in

its overall development plans and programs for national implementation.

SEC. 4. It shall also be the responsibility of the DOT to promote Mainit
Falls and Hot Springs as tourism area in all its national, regional and local

promotion programs.

SEC. 5. The Secretary of Tourism shall issue such rules and regulations
as may be necessary to carry out the purpose of this Act.

SEC. 6. The amount necessary to carry out the provisions of this Act
shall be included in the General Appropriations Act of the year following its
enactment into law and thereafter.

SEC. 7. All laws, rules, regulations, proclamations, executive orders or
parts thereof inconsistent with this Act, are hereby amended accordingly.

SEC. 8. This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after publication in
the Official Gazette or in two (2) national newspapers of general circulation.

Approved,