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Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES, TIVE:
CONGRESS OF THE PHILIPPINES BY:

Quezon City, Metro Manila

REGISTRATION UNIT
SEVENTEENTH CONGRESS = §i)|5 AND INDEX SERVICE
First Regular Session AS aed

House Bill No. 1233

Introduced by Honorable REYNALDO V. UMALI

EXPLANATORY NOTE

This bill seeks to declare Verde Island Passage as Marine Protected
Area (MPA) and Eco-Tourism Zone.

The Province of Oriental Mindoro is bestowed with various natural
aquatic treasures one of which is known as the Verde Island.

Verde Island Passage has been described as the “center of the world’s
marine biodiversity” in a joint study by America’s Smithsonian Institute. The
passage is hosts to spectacular reef formations of more than 300 species of
coral and underwater rock canyons that is home to more than a half of the
world’s known shore fish species. The Verde Island Passage is about 100
kilometers in length and about 20 kilometers across at its narrowest point.

Cognizant of the potential of eco-tourism in becoming an economic
pump-primer and the urgency of protecting, conserving and promoting the
sustainable use of the Verde Island Passage, the proponent strongly
recommend the enactment of this bill.

In view of thereof, early consideration and approval of this bill is
earnestly sought.

|ALDO V. UMAL]
Representative
Second District, Province of Oriental Mindoro



Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
CONGRESS OF THE PHILIPPINES

Quezon City, Metro Manila

SEVENTEENTH CONGRESS
First Regular Session

123%
House Bill No.

Introduced by Honorable REYNALDO V. UMALI

AN ACT SEEKING TO DECLARE VERDE ISLAND PASSAGE AS A MARINE
PROTECTED AREA (MPA) AND ECO TOURISM ZONE

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

SECTION 1. It is hereby declared the policy of the state to protect its natural
resources in relation to the promotion of a sustainable tourism industry.
Towards that end, the country shall formulate effective strategies, conserve
its resources and to enable the industry to become a major source of
livelihood and employment as well as rationalize all efforts pertaining to
environmental protection. Henceforth, aggressive measure seeking to restore
the country’s share in the global tourist market shall be consistent with the
preservation of the natural environment and the ecosystem.

SECTION 2. Declaration of Policy. — Pursuant to public policy, the Verde
Island Passage is hereby declared as a Marine Protected Area and Eco-
tourism Zone. As such, it shall be subject to the rules and regulations
governing the development of eco-tourism zone. Protections in various areas
range from limits on development, fishing gear types, fishing seasons, catch
limits, moorings, to complete ban on removing marine life of any kind.

SECTION 3. Marine Protected Area and Eco-tourism Master Plan. —
Within a year from the approval of this Act, the Department of Environment
and Natural Resources, in coordination with the Department of Tourism, the
Local Government Units, and with other concerned agencies of the
government, shall prepare a marine protected area and eco-tourism master
plan, promulgate the necessary rules and regulations, review and
strengthen existing local structural framework to enhance cooperation and
support. Provided, that said development plan shall ensure the preservation
of the natural resources in the area.



SECTION 4, Implementing Agencies. ~ The Department of Environment
and Natural Resources, in coordination with the Department of Tourism,
shall take immediate steps to implement said development program for the
ensuing calendar year.

SECTION 5. Promulgation of Rules and Regulations. - The Department of
Environment and Natural Resources, together with the Department of
Tourism, shall promulgate the necessary rules and regulations for the
proper implementation of this Act.

SECTION 6. Appropriation. The amount necessary to carry out the
provisions of this Act shall be taken from the appropriation of the General
Appropriations Act of the year following its enactment into law and
thereafter.

SECTION 7. Separability Clause. Should any provision herein be declared
unconstitutional, the same shall not affect the validity of other provisions of
this Act.

SECTION 8. Repealing Clause. ~ All laws, decrees, orders, rules and
regulations or parts thereof inconsistent with this Act are hereby repealed or
amended accordingly.

SECTION 9. Effectivity Clause. - ‘This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days

after its publication in the Official Gazette or in two (2) national newspapers
of general circulation.

Approved.