TWENTIETH CONGRESS OF THE 
)
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES 
)
First Regular Session 
)
SENATE
Senate
firtar^
25 AUG “7 P6:16
RECEIVES BY:
Senate Bill No. 1158
Introduced by Senator JOEL VILLANUEVA
AN ACT
DECLARING THE MUNICIPALITY OF DONA REMEDIOS 
TRINIDAD, PROVINCE OF BULACAN, AN ECOTOURISM ZONE
EXPLANATORY NOTE
Tourism, when developed responsibly, can serve as a powerful engine for 
inclusive growth, rural development, and environmental stewardship. Ecotourism in 
particular promotes sustainable travel to natural areas while conserving the 
environment and improving the well-being of local communities. It is a major driver 
of economic growth and employment in the country. According to the Philippine 
Statistics Authority (PSA), the contribution of the sector to the country's GDP in 2024 
was estimated at 8.9%. In addition, the sector generated a total of 6.75 million jobs 
in 2024, a 6.1% increase from 2023.1
Tourism plays a vital role in driving local economies, promoting cultural heritage, 
and enhancing environmental awareness. As of the third quarter of 2023, Central 
Luzon—-including the province of Bulacan—recorded a total of 2.8 million tourist 
arrivals, with 2.6 million from domestic tourism and nearly 198,000 from foreign 
visitors, according to the Department of Tourism.2
Doha Remedios Trinidad (DRT), the largest municipality in the Province of 
Bulacan with a land area of over 93,000 hectares, is a vital ecological and cultural 
asset in Central Luzon. Created in 1977 through Presidential Decree No. 1196, DRT— 
fondly referred to as "DRT" by locals—is a scenic municipality rich in natural 
landscapes and heritage sites. It occupies nearly one-third of the province's total land
1 
Philippine Statistics Authority. Tourism Contributes 8.9 Percent to the Philippine Economy in 2024. Published 
on 19 June 2025. Available at https://psa.gov.ph/statistics/tourism (Accessed on 10 July 2025).
2 
Philippine Statistics Authority. Tourism Posted Highest Growth in 2023, Contributing 8.6 % to the Economy. 
Published on 18 June 2024. Available at https://www.psa.gov.ph/statistics/tourism (Accessed on 10 July 2025).
1


area and is home to mountain ranges, waterfalls, caves, and rivers that make it an 
ideal ecotourism destination.
Among the many attractions found in DRT are the Puning Cave in Barangay 
Bayabas, Secret Falls in Barangay Camachile, the Candle Monument in Barangay 
Camachin, the picturesque Tila-Pilon Hills in Barangay Kalawakan, Verdivia Falls in 
Barangay Talbak, and the Caribbean Waves Resort in Barangay Pulong Sampaloc. In 
2020, over 40 potential tourist sites were identified, reflecting the town's enormous 
potential for eco-adventure, cultural tourism, and community-based enterprise.3
Despite this, much of DRT's natural wealth remains underdeveloped or 
inaccessible due to a lack of infrastructure, technical support, and formal designation. 
Without a policy framework for sustainable development, these valuable sites are at 
risk of unregulated use and environmental degradation.
This bill seeks to formally declare Doha Remedios Trinidad as an ecotourism 
zone, enabling it to receive priority support from the Department of Tourism (DOT), 
the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR), and other relevant 
agencies. Through this measure, the local government, with the assistance of national 
institutions, will be empowered to craft and implement a tourism development plan 
that balances infrastructure with environmental protection, and economic opportunity 
with cultural preservation.
Finally, designating DRT as an ecotourism zone will not only unlock the 
municipality's full tourism potential but also ensure the protection of its natural assets 
for generations to come. More importantly, it will uplift the lives of the people of DRT 
by creating sustainable livelihood opportunities and strengthening the local economy.
In view of the foregoing, the immediate passage of this bill is earnestly sought.
JOEL/ X^LLANUEVa
GMA News. Meet the tourism hero of Dona Remedios Trinidad. Published on 26 December 2020. Available at 
https://www.gmanetwork.com/entertainment/celebritylife/travel/71723/meet-the-tourism-hero-of- 
donaremedios-trinidad/story (Accessed on 10 July 2025).


TWENTIETH CONGRESS OF THE 
)
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES 
)
First Regular Session 
)
SENATE
I y'BKnt of tl;r ^nceturp
25 AUG-7 P6:16
RECEIVED sir.
Senate Bill No. 1158
Introduced by Senator JOEL VILLANUEVA
AN ACT
DECLARING THE MUNICIPALITY OF DONA REMEDIOS 
TRINIDAD, PROVINCE OF BULACAN, AN ECOTOURISM ZONE
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the Philippines in 
Congress assembled:
1 
SECTION 1. Short Title. - This Act shall be known as the "Doha Remedios
2 
Trinidad Ecotourism Zone Act"
3 
SEC. 2. Declaration as Ecotourism Zone - The Municipality of Doha
4 
Remedios Trinidad, Province of Bulacan, is hereby declared an ecotourism zone.
5 
Pursuant thereto, the Department of Tourism (DOT) shall support and prioritize
6 
the development of the area subject to the rules and regulations governing the
7 
development of ecotourism zones.
8 
SEC. 3. Tourism Development Plan. - Within one (1) year after the
9 
approval of this Act, the Municipal Government of Doha Remedios Trinidad shall,
10 
in coordination with the DOT, Department of Environment and Natural Resources
11 
(DENR) and other concerned government agencies, prepare a tourism
12 
development plan which shall include the construction, installation, and
13 
maintenance of appropriate facilities and infrastructure to enhance tourism in the
14 
area: Provided, That said development plan shall ensure the preservation and
15 
conservation of the natural beauty and resources of the area: Provided, further,


1 
That the implementation of the tourism development plan shall be included in the
2 
budget of the Municipal Doha Remedios Trinidad.
3 
SEC. 4. Assistance to the Local Government Unit. - The DOT shall
4 
provide technical assistance in tourism capacity building to the Municipal
5 
Government of Doha Remedios Trinidad, for the proper implementation of the
6 
tourism development plan. The DOT shall also include the Municipality of Doha
7 
Remedios Trinidad, in its national and regional promotion programs.
8 
SEC. 5. Funding. - The funding for the implementation of this Act shall be
9 
included in the annual budget of the Municipal Government of Doha Remedios
10 
Trinidad. The DOT may augment such allocation with internally generated funds.
11 
SEC. 6. Implementing Rules and Regulations. - Within sixty (60) days
12 
from the effectivity of this Act, the Municipal Government of Doha Remedios
13 
Trinidad shall, in consultation with the DOT, DENR, and other concerned agencies
14 
of the government, promulgate the rules and regulations for the effective
15 
implementation of this Act.
16 
SEC. 7. Separability Clause. - If any portion or provision of this Act is
17 
declared unconstitutional, the remainder hereof or any provisions not affected
18 
thereby shall remain in force and effect.
19 
SEC. 8. Repealing Clause. - Any law, presidential decree or issuance,
20 
executive order, letter of instruction, rule, or regulation inconsistent with the
21 
provisions of this Act is hereby repealed or modified accordingly.
22 
SEC. 9. Effectivity. - This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after its
23 
complete publication in the Official Gazette or in a newspaper of general
24 
circulation.
Approved,