Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Quezon City SAT BYG_0 8 2022

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Nineteenth Congress 4
First Regular Session .
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2
HOUSE BILL NO. _“ 32 1

Introduced by REPRESENTATIVE LAARNI LAVIN ROQUE

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 reatize 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

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

C
LAARNI LAWN ROQUE
Represeiitative
4th District,



Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Quezon City

Nineteenth Congress
First Regular Session

.
HOUSE BILL NO. 2221

Introduced by REPRESENTATIVE LAARNI LAVIN ROQUE

AN ACT
DECLARING LAKE APO LOCATED AT BARANGAY GUINOYORAN, CITY
OF VALENCIA, PROVINCE OF BUKIDNON AS AN ECOTOURISM ZONE TO
ENCOURAGE THE RESPONSIBLE AND SUSTAINABLE USE AS WELL AS
FOR THE PRESERVATION AND CONSERVATION OF THE NATURAL
RESOURCES FOUND THEREIN, APPROPRIATING FUNDS THEREFOR,
AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES

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

SECTION 1. Lake Apo located at Barangay Guinoyoran, City of Valencia,
Province of Bukidnon is hereby declared as ecotourism zone.

SEC. 2. The Department of Tourism (DOT), in coordination with concerned
agencies of the government and local government units, shall update and consolidate
all existing tourism development plans for the area or prepare a comprehensive
ecotourism development action plan for the Lake Apo Ecotourism Zone consistent
with the national tourism master plan. The plan shall include the construction,
development and maintenance of facilities and infrastructure to enhance the tourism
sites: Provided, that the interventions shall ensure biophysical conservation and
cultural preservation in the area, while providing sustainable economic opportunities
for the local communities.

SEC. 3. The DOT shall incorporate the ecotourism development action pian to
the overall Philippine National Tourism Development Plan pursuant to Republic Act
No. 9593, otherwise known as the "Tourism Act of 2009" and take immediate steps to
implement the ecotourism development action plan and incorporate the same in its
tourism development program for the ensuing calendar years.

The DOT and its concerned attached agencies shall also provide the necessary
technical and financial assistance for the development of tourism infrastructure and
the conduct of skills development in concerned local government units and their local
communities while endeavoring, when practicable, to promote the tourism zones both
domestically and internationally


SEC. 4. The Deparment of Public Works and Highways (DPWH), in
coordination with the office of the district representative of the Fourth District of
Bukidnon, shall implement the fast-tracked construction and improvement of roads,
bridges and other infrastructure necessary in the development of the area upon the
promulgation of this Act and prioritize the same in its infrastructure program.

The DOT, DPWH and Department of Transportation (DOTR) shall promote the
progressive development and aggressive spending in civil aviation, land and sea
transportation infrastructure in the area to improve accessibility and connectivity of
tourist destinations.

SEC. 5. The DOT and concerned agencies and local government units shall
organize a forum by which the private sector, nongovernment organizations and other
interest groups can interact with one another and create an atmosphere that shall
encourage investment and develop a culture of tourism

SEC. 6. Within sixty (60) days from the effectivity of this Act, the DOT, in
consultation with local concerned government units, shall promulgate the necessary
rules and regulations for its proper implementation.

SEC. 7. This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after its publication in the
Official Gazette or in a newspaper of general circulation.

Approved,