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Republic of the Philippines 
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES 
Quezon City 
EIGHTEENTH CONGRESS 
Third Regular Session 
House Bill No. _______ 
Introduced by Representative Sol Aragones 
EXPLANATORY NOTE 
Tourism is one of the sectors most adversely affected by the COVID-19 Pandemic. In 
countries like the Philippines, where tourism is one of the vital economic activities, it is 
incumbent upon the State to develop and establish mechanisms to restart tourism activities 
that will aid in the revival of an ailing economy. 
This 2021, the Department of Tourism (DOT) has been relentless in its crusade to 
help the country recover from the devastating effects of the pandemic by launching several 
programs and activities that adapt to the situation before us. One of the flagship programs is 
called the Green Corridor Initiative (GCI) spearheaded by DOT Regional Office in 
CALABARZON (DOT 4A).  
The development of green corridors play an important role in maintaining regional 
biodiversity, improving environmental quality, offering economic resilience opportunities, 
protecting heritage and culture, and supporting the jumpstart of the economy to restart 
tourism activities in the new normal. 
This proposal seeks to institutionalize the Green Corridor Initiative as a program of 
the State to be adopted by all local governments across the country. The establishment of 
such program shall be a key component in the resumption of tourism in many of our tourist 
destinations in the country. 
In view of the foregoing, the passage of this bill is earnestly sought. 
SOL ARAGONES 
3RD District, Laguna 
June 23, 2021
4:21 pm
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Republic of the Philippines 
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES 
Quezon City, Metro Manila 
EIGHTEENTH CONGRESS 
Second Regular Session 
House Bill No. _______ 
Introduced by Representative Sol Aragones 
AN ACT INSTITUTIONALIZING THE GREEN CORRIDOR INITIATIVE FOR 
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TOURISM AND APPROPRIATING FUNDS THEREFOR 
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Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the Philippines in 
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Congress assembled: 
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SECTION 1. Short Title. – This Act shall be known as the “Green Corridor Initiative 
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Act.” 
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SECTION 2. Declaration of Policy. – It is hereby declared the policy of the State to 
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protect and advance the right of the people to a balanced and healthful ecology in accord with 
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the rhythm and harmony of nature. 
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As such, the State shall ensure and promote the development of green corridors to 
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maintain regional biodiversity, improve environmental quality, offer economic resilience 
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opportunities, protect heritage and culture, and revive the economy through the restart of 
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tourism activities in the new normal. 
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The State shall also ensure a sustainable domestic tourism program which shall 
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include the vital participation of Local Government Units (LGUs) and private stakeholders.  
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SECTION 3. Green Corridor Initiative. – The Green Corridor Initiative (GCI) is any 
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tourism program and activity spearheaded by local government units, in collaboration with 
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the State and private stakeholders, that shall ensure and promote regional biodiversity, 
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improve environmental quality, offer economic resilience opportunities, protect heritage and 
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culture, and support the jumpstart of the economy in the new normal. 
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SECTION 4. Guidelines. – The Department of Tourism (DOT), in coordination with 
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the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG), the Department of 
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Environment and Natural Resources (DENR), and the Department of Health (DOH), shall 
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create the operational guidelines of the GCI which shall adhere to the principles and 
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objectives of Republic Act No. 9593, otherwise known as the Tourism Act of 2009. 
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Further, it shall incorporate the following in the operational guidelines, but shall not 
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be limited to: 
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a. Bottom-up participatory approach with LGUs and private stakeholders;
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b. Selection of Tourism Circuits;
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c. Utilization of modernized and digitized platforms, facilities, and methods for
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registration, contact-tracing, tourism arrival data, as well as for marketing and
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promotions, and other activities necessary;
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d. Promotion of contactless and cashless transactions in tourism establishments;
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e. Provision of travel and health insurance;
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f.
Compliance to tourism carrying capacities; and
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g. Such other activities to accomplish the purpose of this Act.
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SECTION 5. Appropriations. – The amount needed for the immediate 
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implementation of this Act is hereby appropriated from the funds of the National Treasury 
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not otherwise appropriated. Thereafter sum as maybe needed for the continued 
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implementation, operation and maintenance shall be included in the annual General 
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Appropriation Act. 
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 SECTION 6. Separability Clause. – Any portion or provision of this Act that may be 
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declared unconstitutional or invalid shall not have the effect of nullifying the other portions 
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or provisions hereof as long as such remaining portion or provision can still subsist and be 
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given effect in their entirety. 
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 SECTION 7. Repealing Clause. – All laws, decrees, orders, rules, and regulations or 
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other issuances or parts thereof inconsistent with the provisions of this Act are hereby 
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repealed or modified accordingly. 
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 SECTION 8. Effectivity. – This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after its 
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publication in the Official Gazette or any two (2) newspapers of general circulation in the 
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Philippines. 
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Approved. 
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