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Republic of the Philippines RECEIVED ”

HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Quezon City, Metro Manila

TWENTIETH CONGRESS
First Regular Session

HOUSE BILL NO. 341

Introduced by HON. MARLO C. BANCORO
First District, Zamboanga Sibugay

EXPLANATORY NOTE

Olutanga Island lies along the Moro Gulf is a part of the Province of Zamboanga
Sibugay. It is separated from the Zamboanga Peninsula by a narrow channel and
Tantanang Bay. It is the largest island in the Moro Gulf consisting of an area of 194.1
square kilometers and is the 34" largest island in the country. More than 100,000
Zamboangueiios call it home.

It boasts of white sand beaches along an 89-kilometer coastline and is haven for
snorkeling, diving sites and spear-fishing. It is host to various tourism sites such as
Pulo Lawom or islet with deep water, Pulo Mabaw or islet with shallow water and the
famous Snake island, where sea snakes abound.

The island is also known for its production of high value aqua and fisheries
products, especially the fish cage farming of the expensive "Lapulapu” or Grouper
which has a natural spawning area in the island. It is likewise an excellent site for
study and research of molluscs due to its abundance and diversity.

Olutanga Island is composed of three municipalities, namely: Olutanga,
Talusan and Mabuhay.

On May 12, 2023, the Sangguniang Panlalawigan of Zamboanga Sibugay and
the Sangguniang Bayan of Olutanga, Talusan and Mabuhay held its first joint session
and resolved to rename the whole area to OLTAMA Island in accordance with Section
13 of Republic Act No. 7160 or the Local Government Code of 1991.

Earlier on, the three municipalities of Olutanga, Talusan and Mabuhay came
together and formed the Oltama Development Alliance for the shared goal of
accelerating economic development as well as maintaining peace and security in the
island. As an alliance, it is the primary institution which would spearhead the planning
and development of Oltama Island and set the direction for the physical and socio-
economic development of the area to become a major economic and tourist hub in the
province.

Thus, renaming the island Olutanga to Oltama will properly recognize,
represent and define the geographical and territorial jurisdiction of the place. Further,
it will support the common objectives and goals of the Oltama Development Alliance.


‘The present Provincial Government of Zamboanga Sibugay is geared to set up
renewable source of energy for the whole island to shift Olutanga’s image from a
historical pirate haven to a hub for tourism, agriculture, and aquaculture. In
collaboration with local stakeholders, the Mindanao Development Authority (MinDA)
is crafting a master plan to harness the island’s tourism and agro-fishery potential.

Further, the National Irrigation Administration, Zamboanga Sibugay Irrigation
Management Office (ZSIMO) of Region 9 proposes for the Olutanga Island National
Irrigation Project (NIP) Feasibility Study through the joint coordination with the NIA,
Local Government Unit (LGU), and Department of Agriculture (DA) to cover the total
potential area of 2,790 hectares for rice, high value crops and other diversified
products in all of the 51 barangays of Oltama, Talusan and Mabuhay.

Renaming of island to Oltama Island would, hence, be for the best interest of
the three local government units represented, its constituents and the Province of
Zamboanga Sibugay as a whole for purposes of shared goals of development.

In view of the foregoing, the immediate passage of this bill is earnestly sought.

ATTY. C. BANCORO


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

‘TWENTIETH CONGRESS
First Regular Session

HOUSE BILLNO.__341 _

Introduced by HON. MARLO C. BANCORO
First District, Zamboanga Sibugay

AN ACT
RENAMING THE OLUTANGA ISLAND IN THE PROVINCE OF
ZAMBOANGA SIBUGAY TO OLTAMA ISLAND, AND APPROPRIATING
FUNDS THEREFOR

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

SECTION 1. The Island of Olutanga in the Province of Zamboanga Sibugay is
hereto renamed as “Oltama Island” composed of the Municipalities of Olutanga,
Talusan and Mabuhay.

SEC. 2. The Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) and other
relevant agencies are hereby directed to implement the provisions of this Act.

SEC. 3. 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. 4. This Act shall take effect after fifteen (15) days following its publication
in the Official Gazette or in a national newspaper of general circulation

Approved,