NINETEENTH CONGRESS OF THE 
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES 
Second Regular Session
SENATE
S.B. No. ^577
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24 FEB 27
P,4 38
Introduced by SENATOR RAMON BONG REVILLA, JR.
AN ACT
DECLARING THE VERDE ISLAND PASSAGE, LOCATED IN THE PROVINCES OF 
BATANGAS, MARINDUQUE, OCCIDENTAL MINDORO, ORIENTAL MINDORO 
AND ROMBLON, AND ECOTOURISM ZONE
EXPLANATORY NOTE
The Verde Island Passage is globally known as the center of the center of 
marine shorefish biodiversity. With an international point and oil and gas facilities, it is 
considered one of the busiest shipping corridors in the country. The Passage is more 
than 1.4 million hectares which traverses five (5) provinces: Batangas, Occidental 
Mindoro, Oriental Mindoro, Marinduque and Romblon.
The Verde Island Passage is known for its rich biodiversity; being home to 1700 
fish species and 300 coral species. Furthermore, it houses 54 marine protected areas, 
especially so that is also home to various endangered and threatened species; which 
includes; hawksbill turtles, whale sharks, manta rays, dugongs, humphead wrasses, 
giant groupers, and giant clams.
One can easily see how productive an ecosystem Verde Island Passage is. 
Being central to both fishing and shipping, it is definitely an economic asset.
This bill seeks to declare the Verde Island Passage as an ecotourism zone so 
that it will be considered in the Department of Tourism’s annual planning for the better 
preservation and conservation of the Passage.
In this light, consideration of this bill is earnestly sought.
RAMON BONG RREVILLA, JR.


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NINETEENTH CONGRESS OF THE 
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES 
Second Regular Session
SENATE
S.B.NO. 2577
■'V' iJ'SfUcp of tl;r i7-
24 FEB 27 P4 38;
Introduced by SENATOR RAMON BONG REVILLA, JR.
AN ACT
DECLARING THE VERDE ISLAND PASSAGE, LOCATED IN THE PROVINCES OF 
BATANGAS, MARINDUQUE, OCCIDENTAL MINDORO, ORIENTAL MINDORO 
AND ROMBLON, AND ECOTOURISM ZONE
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the Congress 
assembled:
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Section 1. Short Title. - This Act shall be known as the “Verde Island Passage 
Ecotourism Act”
Sec, 2. Declaration of Policy. - It is hereby declared the policy of the State to 
promote a sustainable tourism industry and to implement responsible tourism 
strategies and programs which shall protect and conserve its natural resources.
Towards this end, considering that the Verde Island Passage is recognized as 
the world’s center of marine biodiversity, the State shall ensure the optimal resource 
utilization, conservation, protection and promotion of the sustainable coastal and 
marine development of the areas covered by the Verde Island Passage.
Sec. 3. Verde Island Passage as Ecotourism Zone. - The Verde Island 
Passage, located in the Provinces of Batangas Marinduque, Occidental Mindoro, 
Oriental Mindoro and Romblon is hereby declared an ecotourism zone. Pursuant
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thereto, its development and promotion shall be prioritized and supported by the
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Department of Tourism (DOT), subject to the rules and regulations governing
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ecotourism zones.
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Sec. 4. Verde Island Passage Ecotourism Council. - There is hereby created
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the Verde Island Passage Ecotourism Council, hereinafter referred to as the Council,
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which shall be the primary policy-making, planning and coordinating body in the
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development and administration of the ecotourism zone.
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The Council shall be composed of the following members:
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(a) Secretary of the DOT, or a duly authorized representative as Chairperson:
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(b) Secretary of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR),
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or a duly authorized representative, as Co-chairperson;
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(c) Governors of the Provinces of Batangas, Marinduque, Occidental Mindoro,
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Oriental Mindoro and Romblon, who shall elect form among themselves the
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Vice-chairperson;
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(d) Mayors of the municipalities and cities comprising the ecotourism zone;
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(e) Regional directors for Region IV-A and Region IV-B of the DOT, DENR,
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Department of Science and Technology, Department of Health, Department of
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Interior and Local Government, Department of Justice, Department of Energy,
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Department of Public Works and Highways, Department of Finance,
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Department of Labor and Employment, Department of Social Welfare and
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Development, Department of Transportation, Department of Trade and
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Industry, Department of National Defense, and the Philippine National Police;
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(f) Chief Operating Officer of the Tourism Promotions Board;
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(g) Chief Operating Officer of the Tourism Infrastructure and Enterprise Zone
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Authority;
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(h) Regional Directors of the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources for
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Region IV-A and Region IV-B;
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(i) Regional Directors of the National Economic and Development Authority for
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Region IV-A and Region IV-B;
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(j) Executive Director of the Philippine Commission on Sports Scuba Diving;
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(k) Director of the Biodiversity Management Bureau of the DENR;


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(l) A representative from the private sector who is distinguished in a profession or
field of interest relevant to marine protection and management; and
(m) A representative from an academic institution, with proven track record or
related to marine protection and management.
The sectoral members of the Council shall be selected by the Council in a fair 
and transparent manner. They shall each serve a term of three (3) years and may be 
reappointed for another term.
The Council may call on the other government agencies and offices to provide 
advice and assistance on matters relating to the performance of its functions and the 
development of ecotourism in said provinces.
The provincial governments of Batangas, Marinduque, Occidental Mindoro, 
Oriental Mindoro and Romblon shall provide a secretariat for the Council, including the 
funding necessary to cover expenses for the performance of its official functions and 
activities.
Sec. 5. Ecotourism Development Plan. - Within one (1) year after the approval 
of this Act, the Council, in consultation with concerned agencies of the government 
and stakeholders prepare a tourism development plan that shall include the 
construction, installation and maintenance of such appropriate infrastructure and 
facilities to enhance tourism in the area: Provided, That said development plan shall 
ensure the preservation and conservation of the natural beauty and resources of the 
area: Provided, further. That pertinent and existing policies, management plans and 
efforts to protect and conserve marine biodiversity thereat shall be taken into account 
in the preparation of the tourism development plan.
Sec. 6. Role of the DOT. - The DOT shall assist the provincial governments of 
Batangas, Marinduque, Occidental Mindoro, Oriental Mindoro and Romblon in the 
implementation of the tourism development plan by providing technical assistance in 
tourism capacity building. It shall also include the Verde Island Passage in its national 
and regional promotion programs.


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Sec. 7. Appropriations. - The funding for the implementation of this Act shall 
be included in the respective annual budgets of the provincial governments of 
Batangas, Marinduque, Occidental Mindoro, Oriental Mindoro and Romblon. The DOT 
may augment shall allocation with internally-generated funds.
Sec. 8. Implementing Rules and Regulations. - Within sixty (60) days from the 
effectivity of this Act, the Council shall, in consultation with the concerned agencies of 
the government, promulgate the rules and regulations to implement this Act.
Sec. 9. Separability Clause. - if any provision of this Act shall be declared 
unconstitutional or invalid, the other provisions not affected thereby shall remain in full 
force and effect.
Sec. 10. Repealing Clause. - All laws, decrees, orders, and issuances or 
portions thereof, which are inconsistent with the provisions of this Act, are hereby 
repealed, amended, or modified accordingly.
Sec. 11. Effectivity. This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after its publication 
in a newspaper of general circulation.
Approved.