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Republic of the Philippines:
House of Representatives
Queson City, Metro Manila

Twentieth Congress
First Regular Session
House Bill No, 2901

Introduced by

HON. REPRESENTATIVE LAARNI LAVIN ROQUE
4™ DISTRICT, BUKIDNON

EXPLANATORY NOTE

This bill seeks to declare Lake Apo located in Barangay Guinoyoran,
City of Valencia, Province of Bukidnon, as a responsible, community-based
ecotourism zone with the goals of developing and promoting the areas into a
community-based ecological tourist destination, generating investments,
creating livelihood opportunities, and protecting the natural resources within
the area.

Found in Barangay Guinoyoran, City of Valencia, Lake Apo is a rift lake,
fashioned in a circular shape atop a mountain floor due mainly to the
movement of the earth’s crust. This serene lake has a beautiful backdrop of
hills and mountains and greenery. It is hailed as a clean and green inland
body of water in Northern Mindanao and was awarded the Cleanest Lake in
Region 10 in the late 1990s. This 24-hectare lake has a depth ranging from
17 to 26 meters where species of fish thrive.

In anticipation of the influx of local and foreign tourists, this bill, when
enacted into law, will help secure adequate national support for the local
government units (LGUs) to realize its vast potential as an eco-tourism zone
that is ecologically sustainable, responsible, participative, culturally
sensitive, economically viable and ethically and socially equitable for the
local community.



Furthermore, the enactment of this bill into law will effectively fast-
track the construction and improvement of roads and bridges, and other
infrastructure projects necessary to make the area accessible and
convenient to all, especially the tourists.

This bill was previously filed by this representation in the 19% Congress

and was approved by the House of Representatives on Third Reading and
transmitted to the Senate for its concurrence. However, due to lack of
material time it was not passed into law.

Given the above premises, the urgent passage of this bill is earnestly
sought.

HON. .N: \VIN ROQUE
4™ DI! ', BUKIDNON


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Republic of the Philippines
House of Representatives
Queson City, Metro Manila

Twentieth Congress
First Regular Session

2551

House Bill No.

Introduced by

HON. REPRESENTATIVE LAARNI LAVIN ROQUE
4 DISTRICT, BUKIDNON

AN ACT
DECLARING LAKE APO, LOCATED IN BARANGAY GUINOYORAN, CITY
OF VALENCIA, PROVINCE OF BUKIDNON, AN ECOTOURISM ZONE

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

SECTION 1. The Lake Apo located in Barangay Guinoyoran, City of
Valencia, Province of Bukidnon, is hereby declared an ecotourism zone.
Pursuant thereto, its development shall be prioritized and supported by the
Department of Tourism (DOT), subject to the rules and regulations
governing the development of ecotourism zones.

SEC. 2. Within one (1) year after the approval of this Act, the local
government of the City of Valencia shall, in coordination with the DOT,
Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) and concerned
agencies of the government, prepare a tourism development plan that shall
include the construction, installation and maintenance of such appropriate
infrastructure and facilities to enhance tourism in the area: Provided, That
said development plan shall ensure the preservation and conservation of the
natural beauty and resources of the area: Provided, further, That the


implementation of the tourism development plan shall be included in the
budget of the local government of the City of Valencia.

SEC. 3. The DOT shall assist the local government of the City of Valencia in
the implementation of the tourism development plan by providing technical
assistance in tourism capacity building. It shall also include Lake Apo in its
national and regional promotion programs.

SEC. 4. The funding for the implementation of this Act shall be included in
the annual budget of the local government of the City of Valencia. The DOT
may augment such allocation with internally-generated funds.

SEC. 5. Within sixty (60) days from the effectivity of this Act, the local
government of the City of Valencia shail, in consultation with the DOT and
concerned agencies of the government, promulgate rules and regulations to
implement this Act.

SEC. 6. This Act shail take effect fifteen (15) days after its publication in the
Official Gazette or in a newspaper of general circulation.

Approved.