FIFTEENTH CONGRESS OF THE 
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES 
First Regular Session 
) 
) 
) 
SENATE 
S.B. No. 1358 
Introduced by Senator Loren Legarda 
EXPLANATORY NOTE . 
This bill declares the province of Palawan as the ecological tourism capital of 
the Philippines with tlJe corresponding government support and grant of autonomy. 
The concept of ecological tourism is consistent with the State's policy on the 
right of the people to a balanced and healthful ecology. 
. 
Section 16, Article II of the 1987 Philippine Constitution states that the State 
shall protect and advance the right of the people to a balanced and healthful ecology 
in accord with the rhythm and harmony of nature. In the .1993 landmark case of 
OpOSIl VS. Factoran, the Supreme Court ruled that the right to a balanced and 
healthful ecology carries with it the correlative duty to refrain from impairing the 
environment. 
Ecotourism focuses on local culture, wilderness adventures, volunteering, 
personal growth, and learning new ways to live on the planet; typically involving 
travel to destinations where flora, fauna, and cultural he'ritage are the primary 
attractions. Responsible ecotourism includes programs that minimize the negative 
aspects of conventional tourism on the environment, and enhance the cultural 
integrity of local people. Therefore, in addition to evaluating environmental and 
cultural factors, an integral part of ecotourism is in the promotion of recycling, 
energy efficiency, water conservation, and creation of economic opportunities for 
the local communities 
Palawan is the biggest province in the Philippines and is composed of 1,768 
islands and islets. The island-province first attracted foreign attention in the 1970's 
when it became a United Nations Vietnamese Refugee Center. Puerto-Princesa 
Subterranean River National Park is Palawan's most popular attraction and covers 
5,349 hectares of lush forest, dark mountains, caves and white beaches. The Park is 
inscribed in the prestigious list of United Nations Educational, Scientific and 
Cultural Organization (UNESCO) World Heritage. 
Ecology awareness is at a high level throughout the province. Puerto Princesa 
prides itself as the cleanest city in the Philippines. To protect its mega-diversity, only 
eco-friendly programs are adhered to by tourist establishments. And there are strict 
ordinances against dynamite fishing, with only net and line fishing allowed. 
Palawan may have opened itself to tourism but it has also taken serious ef:orts to 
preserve this last frontier. 
1 


This proposed measure seeks to provide the necessary support to such efforts 
of the province of Palawan by declaring it the ecological' tourism capital of the 
Philippines. By this, there shall be created an Ecological Tourism Office whose 
governing board shall be co-chaired by Representatives of the legislative districts of 
the province and the Governor of Palawan. The membership of the board shall be 
composed of representatives from the Palawan' Council for Sustainable 
Development (PCSD), 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. This Office shall 
rationalize all efforts. pertaining to environmental protection and making the 
tourism industry a major source of livelihood and an avenue for the generation of 
employment. 
. 
In view of the foregoing, immediate passage of this bill is earnestly requested. 
~ 
..:-~ ;>=> 
LOREN LEGARDA 
Senator 
2 


FIFTEENTH CONGRESS OF THE 
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES 
First Regular Session 
) 
) 
) 
SENATE 
S.B. No.1358 
Introduced by Senator Loren Legarda . 
AN ACT 
DECLARING THE PROVINCE OF PALAWAN AS THE ECOLOGICAL 
TOURISM CAPITAL OF THE PHILIPPINES AND OTHER PURPOSES 
Be it enacted by the Senate and the House of Representatives of the Philippines in 
Congress assembled: 
1 
SECTION 1. Title. This Act shall be known as "An Act Declaring the 
2 
Province of Palawan as the Ecological Tourism Capital of the Philippines." 
3 
4 
Sec. 2. Declaration of Policy. It is hereby declared the' policy of the State to 
5 
promote a sustainable tourism industry. Towards this end, the country shall 
6 
rationalize all efforts pertaining to environmental protection and making the 
7 
industry a major source of livelihood and an avenue for the generation of 
8 
employment. Henceforth, aggressive measures seeking to restore the country's share 
9 
in the Asian tourist market shall be consistent with the preservation of the existing 
10 
ecosystem and natural environment. 
11 
12 
Sec. 3. Ecological Tourism Capital of the Philippines. Pursuant to public 
13 
policy, the Province of Palawan including the city of Puerto Princesa is hereby 
14 
declared an eco-tourism zone and shall be called the Eco-Tourism Capital of the 
15 
Philippines. 
16 
17 
Sec. 4. Creation of an Eco-Tourism Office. Within a year from the approval of 
18 
this Act, there shall be created an Eco-Tourism Office whose governing board shall 
19 
be co-chaired by Representatives of the legislative districts of the province and the 
20 
Governor of Palawan. The membership of the board shall be composed of 
21 
representatives from the Palawan Council for Sustainable Development (PCSD), the 
22 
Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR), the Department of 
1 


" 
1 
Tourism (DOT), the private sector, the non-governmental organization, and the local 
2 
government units. 
3 
4 
Sec 5. Implementing Rules and Regulations. The PCSD, DENR and DOT shall 
5 
prepare an eco-tourism master plan and promulgate the, necessary rules and 
6 
regulations to be approved by the President of the Philippines upon 
7 
recommendation of the board. 
8 
9 
Sec. 6. Appropriation. The amount necessary to carry out the provisions of 
10 
this Act shall be taken from the current appropriation of PCSD and shall be 
11 
included in the General Appropriations Act of the year following its enactment into 
12 
law and thereafter. 
13 
14 
Sec. 7. Separability Clause. If any provision of this Act shall be held 
15 
unconstitutional, any other provision not otherwise affected shall remain in full 
16 
force and effect. 
17 
18 
Sec. 8. Repealing Clause. All laws, executive orders, rules and regulations, or 
19 
parts thereof inconsistent with the provisions of this Act are hereby amended, 
20 
repealed or modified accordingly. 
21 
22 
Sec. 9. Effectivity. This Act shall take effect after its complete publication in at 
23 
least two (2) newspapers of general circulation. 
24 
25 
Approved, 
2