SIXTEENTH CONGRESS OF THE REPUBLIC ) 
OF THE PHILIPPINES 
) 
Second Regular Session 
) 
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APR 16 P2:22 
SENATE 
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Introduced by Senator Miriam Defensor Santiago 
AN ACT 
TO PREVENT HARASSMENT OF TOURISTS 
EXPLANATORY NOTE 
The Constitution, Article 2, Section 5, provides: 
SEC. 5. The maintenance of peace and order, the 
protection of life, liberty, and property, and the 
promotion of the general welfare are essential for the 
enjoyment by all the people of the blessings of 
democracy. 
Tourism is an integral part of our countries economic development plans. As 
such, the Depatiment of Tourism goes all out to promote our country as a top 
tourist destination. Not only does tourism help spread our culture, it boosts the 
local economy, promotes job creation, and increases consumption of local products 
and services. 
However, in the zeal of our countrymen to promote their products and 
services, many end up harassing the tourists. Even worse, some tourists are bullied 
into availing of their products and services against their will. Instead of having a 
pleasant experience during their vacation, the tourists return home with 
traumatizing experience and vow never to return. ' 


In order to make the tourist experience more pleasant, we need to encourage 
a more acceptable and responsible type of marketing practices for our local 
vendors and service providers and curb the harassment and the bullying of tourists. 
This bill mandates the Department of Tourism and local barangay officials 
to work with the local vendors and service providers to promote a more pleasant 
tourist experience. This bill likewise penalizes any person who harasses or bullies 
tourists as a way of marketing his/her products and services. 
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SIXTEENTH CONGRESS OF THE REPUBLIC ) 
OF THE PHILIPPINES 
) 
Second Regular Session 
) 
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SENATE 
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Introduced by Senator Miriam Defensor Santiago 
AN ACT 
TO PREVENT HARASSMENT OF TOURISTS 
Be it enacted by the Senate and the House of Representatives of the 
Philippines in Congress assembled: 
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SECTION 1. Short Title, - This Act shall be known as the "Anti-Tourist 
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Harassment Act." 
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SECTION 2. Declaration of Principles. - The State recognizes tourism as a 
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major contributor to our country's economic growth. Towards this end, the State 
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shall enact measures to protect our tourists, domestic or international, from 
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unnecessary inconveniences during their stay. The right of the local businesses to 
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reasonably promote their business shall be respected. 
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SECTION 3. Tourist Havens. - The Department of Tourism (DOT) shall 
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identify the barangays which shall be considered as Tourist Havens. For the 
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purposes of this Act Tourist Havens are barangays which have a high volume of 
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tourists who stay for longer than one day. 
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SECTION 4. Unlawful Solicitation. - It shall be unlawful for persons to 
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repeatedly and aggressively solicit business from tourists who have already 
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expressed their desire not to be bothered by solicitations. 


Persons who commit unlawful solicitation shall mcur the following 
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penalties: 
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1. First offense: Warning 
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2. Subsequent offense against the same person: Five hundred pesos fine for 
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each incursion. 
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SECTION 5. Deputization of Barangay Officials. - The DOT may deputize 
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the Barangay Officials in the Tourist Havens to enforce this Act. 
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SECTION 6. Tourism Help Desk and Regular Patrol. - The DOT or the 
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Deputized Barangay Officials in the Tourist Havens shall set up an assistance 
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desk/office in the areas frequented by tourists to receive tourist complaints and 
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manage all tourist related issues in their barangays. 
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The DOT or the Deputized Barangay Officials shall also conduct regular 
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patrols in such areas to ensure that the provisions ofthis Act are observed and offer 
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immediate assistance to tourists. 
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SECTION 7. Responsible Marketing. - The DOT, in coordination with the 
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barangay officials shall conduct regular seminars and programs addressed to local 
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vendors and service providers promoting responsible marketing to tourists. 
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SECTION 8. Implementing Rules. - The DOT, in consultation with the 
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Department of Justice and the Depatiment of Interior and Local Government, shall 
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promulgate the implementing rules and regulations of this Act within one year 
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from its effectivity. 
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SECTION 9. Separability Clause. - If any provision or part hereof, is held 
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invalid or unconstitutional, the remainder of the law or the provision not otherwise 
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affected shall remain valid and subsisting. 
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SECTION 10. Repealing Clause. - Any law, presidential decree or issuance, 
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executive order, letter of instruction, administrative order, rule or regulation 
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contrary to or is inconsistent with the provision of this Act is hereby repealed, 
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modified, or amended accordingly. 
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SECTION 11. Effectivity Clause. - This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) 
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days after its publication in at least two (2) newspapers of general circulation. 
Approved, 
/apm04102015 
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