Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Quezon City

NINETEENTH CONGRESS
First Regular Session

HOUSE BILL NO. 4154

Introduced by Representative Alan 1 B. Ecleo

EXPLANATORY NOTE

The proposed bill aims to declare Lake Bababu, located in Barangay Melgar in the
Municipality of Basilisa, Province of Dinagat Islands, a tourist destination.

With its emerald green waters, the enigmatic Lake Bababu is a place of tranquility for
its visitors. It derives its name from the Cebuano words “baba sa buwaya,” which translates
to crocodile’s mouth, referring to the shape of Babas Cove to which it is connected.
Furthermore, Lake Bababu is one of the few meromictic lakes in the Philippines which means
that it has two layers of water, both freshwater and saltwater, that do not mix due to the unique
formation of its basin, its surface waters, and the chalk-white limestone walls surrounding the
area,

At an approximate length of 650 meters, Lake Bababu is regarded as the longest fully
submerged underwater cave system in the whole country. It is also a home to rich ecosystems
and to a wealth of unexplored biodiversity.

Presently, Lake Bababu is under the management of the Bababu Ecotourism Adventure
Park (BEAP) whose membership is composed of officers from the local government unit of
Basilisa and the descendants of the original founder of the lake. However, the financial
constraints of the local government and BEAP have made regular and efficient maintenance
activities difficult to accomplish. Such issues with adequate maintenance and sufficient
regulation are conceming because they are likely to cause deterioration of the lake’s critically
fragile nature, more so as there has been a consistent increase in the number of visitors going
to the area.

Hence, in order to guarantee the sufficiency of funds necessary for the maintenance of
Lake Bababu, as well as ensure that it is being adequately managed and promoted through
effective tourism development plans, it is deemed best to have it be declared as a tourist
destination, effectively bringing the same under the direct leadership and supervision of the
Department of Tourism (DOT). Such a declaration will foster the growth of tourism in the area
while simultaneously minimizing the risks on its natural resources.

In view thereof, the passage of this bill is earnestly soug!

B.ECLEO
Representative, Lné District of Dinagat Islands


Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Quezon City

NINETEENTH CONGRESS
First Regular Session

HOUSE BILL No, _4794

Introduced by Representative Alan 1 B. Ecleo

AN ACT DECLARING LAKE BABABU LOCATED IN BARANGAY
MELGAR IN THE MUNICIPALITY OF BASILISA, PROVINCE OF
DINAGAT ISLANDS A TOURIST DESTINATION, PROVIDING FOR
ITS DEVELOPMENT, AND APPROPRIATING FUNDS THEREFOR

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

SECTION 1. Lake Bababu in Barangay Melgar in the Municipality of Basilisa, Province of
Dinagat Islands is hereby declared a tourist destination. As such, the Department of Tourism
(DOT) shall prioritize its development and subject the same to the rules and regulations
governing tourist destinations.

SECTION 2. Within one (1) year from the approval of this Act, the DOT, in collaboration with
the concerned local government units and agencies of the government, shall prepare a tourism
development plan that complements the natural qualities of Lake Bababu: Provided, That said
development plan shall take into account the preservation and conservation of the natural
beauty and resources of the area: Provided, further, That any and all activities and
developments to be implemented in the area shall conform with the guidelines for ecotourism
development jointly issued by the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR)
and the DOT.

SECTION 3. The DOT and its concerned attached agencies shall take immediate steps in order
to implement the tourism development plan. It shall also include Lake Bababu in all its national,
regional, and local promotion programs.

SECTION 4. The Secretary of Tourism shall include in the Department's program the
construction, installation, and maintenance of appropriate facilities in Lake Bababu, the
funding of which shall be included in the annual General Appropriations Act.

SECTION 5. This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after publication in the Official Gazette
or in any two national newspapers of general circulation,

Approved,