SEVENTEENTH CONGRESS OF THE )

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REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES )
Second Regular Session )
18 MAY 28 P1354
SENATE
s.No._1820 Rec

Introduced by Senator Cynthia A. Villar

AN ACT
DECLARING THE BALANGA WETLAND AND NATURE PARK, IN BARANGAY
TORTUGAS, CITY OF BALANGA AS A RESPONSIBLE, COMMUNITY-BASED
ECOTOURISM ZONE, AND APPROPRIATING FUNDS THEREFOR

EXPLANATORY NOTE

This bill seeks to declare the Balanga Wetland and Nature Park (BWNP) in
Barangay Tortugas, City of Balanga, Province of Bataan as a ‘special ecological
tourism zone with a three-pronged goal of developing and Promoting the area into a
tourist destination, generating investments and creating job opportunities, and
Protecting the natural resources within the area including mangroves, other aquatic
plant and numerous migratory and local birds.

The BWNP is regarded as one of the most important feature of the Balanga
City landscape. It improves the environmental condition of the area by protecting
and improving water quality, providing wildlife habitats, serving as a natural flood
control, maintaining surface water flow during dry season, supporting the fishing
industry, and ensuring biological productivity. The wetland also Provides aesthetic
value to the surrounding community by reducing bank erosion and filtering trash
from the Manila Bay. It is an ideal “outdoor classroom and museum” that showcases
the beauty of nature and teaches about the value of biodiversity.



Recreational activities including hiking, fishing, bird watching and
photography are also regular occurrences in the wetland. The Jbong Dayo Festival
is celebrated annually to highlight the migratory birds passing through the wetlands.

In response to the influx of tourists, the local government of the City of
Balanga has constructed an information center and several view decks and lookouts
that offer a magnificent view of the birds in flight with Mt. Samat as its backdrop.
However, inadequate national support has kept the BWNP from reaching its true
potential as a tourist destination. With the approval of this bill, the BWNP will finally
get the assistance needed to propel it to become a truly world class ecotourism zone
that is ecologically sustainable, responsible, participative, culturally sensitive,
economically viable and ethically and socially equitable for the local community.

The proposed bill is the Senate counterpart of House Bill No. 5807 filed by
Representative Jose Enrique S. Garcia III of the 2™ District of Bataan in the House

of Representatives.

I recommend the approval of this bill.

CYNTHIA M a



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SEVENTEENTH CONGRESS OFTHE) SE atte at geatcrtey
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES )
Second Regular Session
Regula ) "18 MAY 28 154
SENATE
S.No. _1820 RECEi .

Introduced by Senator Cynthia A. Villar

AN ACT
DECLARING THE BALANGA WETLAND AND NATURE PARK, IN BARANGAY
TORTUGAS, CITY OF BALANGA AS A RESPONSIBLE, COMMUNITY-BASED
ECOTOURISM ZONE, AND APPROPRIATING FUNDS THEREFOR

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

1 SECTION 1. Creation. - The Balanga Wetland and Nature Park (BWNP) in
2 Barangay Tortugas, City of Balanga, Province of Bataan shall be declared as a
3 responsible, community-based special eco-tourism zone.

Sec. 2. Declaration of Policy. — The State is mandated to promote a tourism
industry that is ecologically sustainable, responsible, Participative, culturally
sensitive, economically viable, and equitable for the local community. Towards this
end, the Balanga Wetland and Nature Park is hereby declared a special ecotourism
zone. It shall be accorded priority development by the Department of Tourism (DOT)
and shall be subject to the rules and regulations governing the development of
10 — ecotourism zones.

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1 Sec. 3. Objectives. - Pursuant to the above declaration of policy, the State
12 _ shall endeavour to accomplish the following:



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(a) Develop and promote responsible, community-based ecological tourism
as the core management strategy in the development of the BWNP;

(b) Ensure the conservation of the biodiversity and the preservation of the
said ecotourism park;

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Develop tourism products and programs that will generate employment
and livelihood for the local residents concerned, consistent with the
Preservation and maintenance of natural resources;

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Guarantee that the financial and economic benefits of the tourism
industry are equitably shared by, and distributed among the local
residents concerned by giving preference and support to community and
home-based tourism enterprises, such as, but not limited to, micro and
‘small businesses including local inns, lodges and homestays, restaurants,
food and fruit stands, and other similar tourism oriented industries and
businesses;

(e) Ensure that the quality of local tourism programs and activities are
educational and enriching for tourists and visitors through the provision
of orientation, educational and tour programs by local tour operators,
non- government organizations (NGOs), the City of Balanga and the
DOT; and

(f) Guarantee that in the development and promotion of the local tourism
industry, the LGU of the City of Balanga shall ensure that the needs of
local residents for adequate water supply, food, energy and local
construction materials are first Secured and met.



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Sec. 4. Definition of Terms. — As used in this Act:

a) Biodiversity Conservation refers to the practice of preserving the variety of
species and habitats, including inter alia, terrestrial, marine and other
aquatic ecosystems, and the ecological complexes which they are a part
of;

b) Community-Based Tourism refers to a form of tourism where the local
community and its residents have substantial control and involvement in
the development and management of the local tourism industry and a
greater portion of the economic gains remain within the community;

¢) Ecotourism refers to a form of sustainable tourism within a natural area
where community participation, protection and management of natural
resources, cultural and indigenous knowledge and practices,
environmental education and ethics, as well as economic benefits are
fostered and pursued for the enrichment of host communities and the
satisfaction of visitors;

d) Homestay refers to a system of tourist accommodation where a tourist
stays with local residents and experiences the day-to-day life within the
local community;

e) Responsible Ecotourism refers to a form of sustainable tourism in which
both the tourism Sector and the tourists take responsibility in the
Protection, respect, and conservation of the natural environment and the
local culture and ways of life, and where community participation as well
as economic benefits are fostered and pursued for the well-being of the
local people and visitors; and

f) Sustainable Tourism Development refers to the management of resources
in a manner that simultaneously meets the needs of tourists and host

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locality; protects the opportunities for the future; fulfils the economic and
social needs of the district; and preserves natural integrity, essential
ecological processes, biological diversity and a system that supports and
perpetuates life.

Sec. 5. Scope and Coverage. — This Act shall cover the boundaries of the 11-
hectare mangrove forest or the Balanga Wetland and Nature Park at Barangay
Tortugas, City of Balanga, Province of Bataan.

The technical boundaries shall be undertaken by the DENR and other
agencies for the proper implementation of this Act.

Sec. 6. Tourism Development Plan. — The DOT, in coordination with the
DENR, shall assist the City of Balanga in the formulation of the Tourism
Development Plan for the Balanga Wetland and Nature Park that shall be
complemented by a set of guidelines for a responsible, community-based
ecotourism. The tourism development plan shall ensure the preservation of the eco-
Park and shall include the following components:

a) Carrying capacity of the eco-park;

b) Specific site assessment;

€) Identification of strategic priorities;

d) Product development for local income generation;

) Capacity-building for the local community to allow residents therein to ably
manage economically viable and _ responsible, community-based
ecotourism business enterprises;

f) Support for the formulation of local Production groups and networks,
including the marketing and pricing of Products; and

9) Marketing strategies that reflect the natural, social and environmental
integrity of the BWNP,



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The process of developing the Tourism Development Plan for the BWNP shall
be participatory, from the bottom up, with the framework to be Provided by the DOT
and DENR, in consultation with the Balanga Wetland Development Council herein
created.

Sec. 7. Formation of the Balanga Wetland and Nature Park Development
Council. - A multi-Sectoral council to be known as the “Balanga Wetland
Development Council” shall be created, whose members shall be co-terminous with
the incumbent mayor of the City of Balanga. It shall be composed of the following
members:

a) The Mayor of the City of Balanga sitting as Chairperson;

b) The head of the City Tourism Office, sitting as Vice-chairperson;
C) The head of the City Environmental and Natural Resources Office;
d) Three (3) representatives from the private Sector

Sec. 8. Functions and Responsibilities of the Council. - The council shall be
responsible for the following:

a) Formulation and the implementation of the Tourism Development Plan in
consultation with the local residents, businesses, and other stakeholders;

b) Assessment and evaluation of the Potential impact of the development to
the environmental safety and well-being of the site, communities, and
enterprises;

C) Provision of technical and financial assistance to the communities within
the site;

d) Formulation of the rules and regulations in relation to the maintenance
and Security of the ecotourism site; and

e) Performance of other functions as may be necessary to carry out the
objectives of this Act.



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Sec. 9. Formulation of Guidelines and Standards. - The concerned Protected
Area Management Board of the DENR, DOT and the Balanga Wetland Development
Council, shall assist in the formulation of local tourism standards ensuring that
environmental protection is integrated in the development of ecotourism plans.

The guidelines and standards shall:

(a) Raise the capacity of all stakeholders and ensure that best practices are
followed;

(b) Ensure optimal use of water and energy;

(c) Reduce waste and pollution through the encouragement of recycling and
other environmentally-sound waste management reduction and disposal
schemes;

(d) Prevent vandalism in the facilities of the eco-park; and

(e) Encourage the use of local Produce and services, and support the
employment of local people.

Sec. 10. Coordination with National Agencies. — The DOT shall closely
Coordinate with the government of the City of Balanga, as well as the relevant
regional offices of the DENR, DOLE, DPWH, DOTr, DA, DepEd, DTI, DILG, the PNP,
the MARINA, and other line agencies of the government in the implementation of
this Act.

Sec. 11. Implementing Rules and Regulations. - The DOT, in coordination
with the DENR, and in consultation with the City Government of Balanga, other
concerned government agencies, and stakeholders, within thirty (30) days from the
effectivity of this Act, shall promulgate the rules and regulations necessary for the
effective implementation of the Provisions of this Act.

Sec. 12. Appropriations. - The Secretary of Tourism shall include in the
Department's subsidy program, support for the capital outlay requirements of the
BWNP for the preliminary implementation of this Act and enhancement of the



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facilities of the ecotourism zone which shall be taken from the budget of the
Department of Tourism for the current fiscal year.

The budgetary allocations for the succeeding years shall be included in the
General Appropriations Act, subject to government audit.

Sec. 13. Separability Clause. - If, for any reason, any provision of this Act is
declared unconstitutional or invalid, other Provisions hereof which are not affected
thereby shall continue to be in full force and effect.

Sec. 14. Repealing Clause. ~ All laws, decrees, executive orders Proclamation
and administrative regulations, or parts thereof inconsistent herewith are hereby
repealed or modified accordingly.

Sec. 15. Effectivity Clause. ~ This Act shall take effect immediately after its
publication in at least two (2) national newspapers of general circulation or in the

Official Gazette,

Approved,