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FOURTEENTH CONGRESS OF THE REPUBLIC 
OF THE PHILIPPINES 
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First Regular Seasion 
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S.B. No 
Introduced by Senator Loren Legarda 
EXPLANATORY NOTE 
This bill seeks to declare the Mount Isarog Natural Park in the province of 
Camarines Sur a special ecological tourism zone to promote and develop the area as a 
tourist destination for domestic and international tourists while protecting its natural 
resources and diverse flora and fauna species. 
The Mount Isarog is a potentially active stratovolcano with a 1.97 kilometer 
elevation and 32.5 kilometer base diameter. In July 20, 1938, President Manuel L. Quezon 
signed Act 293 establishing Mount Isarog as a national park, which has a land area of 10,112 
hectare and area. The Park covers 23 barangays under the geographical jurisdiction of the 
municipalities of Tinambac, Calabanga, Pili, Ocampo, Tigaon and Goa and the city of Naga. 
It is one of the eight protected areas supported by the National Integrated Protected Areas 
Programme which receives special funding from the European Commission. 
The national park houses 143 different species of birds and other animals such as 
monkeys, bats and wild cats. The waterfalls nestled in the park and the scenic hike to the 
peak makes it an idyllic tourist destination. Because of its rich environment, it is a prime 
educational and recreational area for locals and foreigners. Because of the increase in tourist 
traffic and impending developments, the Park is experiencing changes that may not be 
environmentally suitable. 
This bill addresses the need to promote, develop and protect the national park 
through the creation of the Ecological tourism office that will oversee the development of 
the area as an environment friendly tourist destination. Any developments made in the area 
shall be monitored to ensure that the natural resources in the zone will be not harmed and 
the protection of the surroundings will not hinder the improvement of the municipalities 
and city the zone covers. 
Furthermore, to guarantee the proper implementation and supervision of the zone, 
the governing board of the eco-tourism office shall consist of the governor of the province 
and the legislative representatives of Camarines Sur. Other members of the board shall be 
representatives from the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR), the 
Department of Tourism (DOT), the private sector, the non-governmental organization, and 
the local government units encompassing the area of the national park. 
In view of the foregoing, immediate passage of this bill is earnestly requested. 
Senator 


FOURTEENTH CONGRESS OF THE REPUBLIC 
) 
7 
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3 
OF THE PHILIPPINES 
) 
First Regular Session 
) 
SENATE 
S.B. No. 
Introduced by Senator Loren Legarda 
AN ACT 
DECLARING MOUNT ISAROG NATURAL PARK IN THE PROVINCE OF 
CAMARINES SUR A SPECIAL ECOLOGICAL TOURISM ZONE, AND FOR 
OTHER PURPOSES 
Be it enacted by the Senate and the House of Representatives of the Philippines in 
Congress assembled: 
SECTION 1. Title. This Act shall be known as "An Act Declaring Mount Isarog 
Natural Park in the Province of Camarines Sur as a Special Ecological Tourism Zone." 
Sec. 2. Declaration of Policy. It is hereby declared the policy of the State to promote 
a sustainable tourism industry while ensuring the environmental protecrion and 
preservation of the area. Towards this end, the country shall rationalize all efforts 
pertaining to ecological tourism and making it a major source of livelihood and an 
avenue for the generation of employment while guaranteeing the richness of the natural 
resources of the area. Henceforth, aggressive measures seeking to secure the country's 
share in the world tourism market shall be consistent with the preservation of the 
existing ecological system and natural environment. 
Sec. 3.Declaration ofMount Isarog as U M  Ecological Tourism Zone. Pursuant to the 
public policy, Mount Isarog Natural Park in the Province of Camarines Sur is hereby 
declared an ecological tourism zone. 
Sec. 4. Creation of an Eco-Tourism Ofice. Within a year from the approval of this 
Act, there shall be created an Eco-Tourism Office whose governing board shall be co- 
chaired by Representatives.of the legislative districts of the province and the Governor 
of Camarines Sur. The membership of the board shall be composed of representatives 
from the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR), the Department 
of Tourism (DOT), the private sector, the non-governmental organization, and the local 
government units included in the geographical jurisdiction of the Mount Isarog 
National Park. 
Sec 5. Implementing Rules and Regulations. The DENR and DOT shall prepare an 
eco-tourism master plan and promulgate the necessary rules and regulations to be 
approved by the President of the Philippines upon recommendation of the Board after 
the latter has subjected the same to public consultations. 
Sec. 6. Appropriation, The amount necessary to carry out the provisions of this Act 
shall be taken from the current appropriation of the Department of Tourism and shall 


be included in the department’s General Appropriations Act of the year following its 
enactment into law and thereafter. 
Sec. 7. Sepambility’ Clause. If any provisions of this Act shall , be held 
unconstitutional, the remaining portions not otherwise affected shall remain in full 
force and effect. 
Sec. 8. Repealing Clause. All laws, executive orders, rules and regulations, or parts 
thereof inconsistent with any of the provisions of this Act are hereby amended, repealed 
or modified accordingly. 
Sec. 9. Efectivity. This Act shall take effect after its complete publication in at 
least two (2) newspapers of general circulation. 
Approved,