RECEIVED

pate.__30 AUG 2016
Republic of the Philippines ore: esi)

House OF Re! NTATIVES
Quezon City, Meo Manila

REGISTRATION UNIT

Seventeenth Congress BILLS AND NOT 1 SPRVICE

First Regular Session

3385

HOUSE BILL NO.

Introduced by Honorable Roger G. Mercado

EXPLANATORY NOTE

The internet age has greatly contributed to the international
exposure of Southern Leyte as a world class tourist destination.
Everybody can expect that economic development pushed by the
tourism industry will soon follow.

However, the expected economic development has not taken
off due to lack of infrastructure. To address this issue, it is essential
for Southern Leyte to be declared as a tourist zone. In this manner,
the appropriate national government agencies can work together to
speed up the infrastructure development of Southern Leyte.

In view of the foregoing, passage of this bill is hereby being

| AMM

ROGER G. MERCADO


Row N

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Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Quezon City, Metro Manila

Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Quezon City, Metro Manila

SEVENTEENTH CONGRESS
First Regular Session
33

House Bill No.

Introduced by Representative Roger G. Mercado

AN ACT DECLARING THE PROVINCE OF SOUTHERN LEYTE A TOURISM ZONE,
APPROPRIATING FUNDS THEREFOR AND OTHER PURPOSES

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

SECTION 1. The Province of Southern Leyte is hereby declared a tourism
zone. As such, it shall be accorded priority development by the Department of Tourism
(DOT), the Department of Public Works and Highways and shall be subject to the rules
and regulations governing the development of tourist zones.

SECTION 2, The province of Southern Leyte is rich with small islands,
waterfalls, beaches and sea and mountain resources; historical and natural landmarks;
indigenous communities; and other Areas of interest of the ecotourism industry.

SECTION 3. The Department of Tourism (DOT) in coordination with the
Tourism Infrastructure and Enterprise Zone Authority and other concerned agencies of
the government, shall prepare the necessary tourism spot development plan, providing


oorvraunawn

for their development and maintenance, including improvement and restoration of
sites, where appropriate, in conformity with set standards, construction of hotels,
resorts, restaurants, recreational facilities and other appropriate facilities and
infrastructure : Provided, That said development plan shall ensure the preservation of

the ecological balance and natural beauty of the area

SECTION 4, The Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH), in
coordination with the DOT, shall set forth in place the necessary construction and/or
improvement of roads and other infrastructure upon the promulgation of this Act and
incorporate in it its infrastructure program

SECTION 5. The DOT shall take immediate steps to implement the
development plan and incorporate it in the Department's overall tourism development
program for the ensuing year. The DOT shall likewise promulgate the necessary rules.

and regulations for the proper implementation of this Act.

SECTION 6. The Secretary of DOT and the Secretary of DPWH shall include
their respective Department's program the implementation of this Act, the funding of
which shall be included in the Annual General Appropriations Act and/or charged
against the internally generated funds of the DOT.

SECTION 7. All laws, presidential decrees, executive orders, rules and
regulations or parts thereof which are inconsistent with any of the provisions of this Act

shall be deemed repealed or modified accordingly

SECTION 8. This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after its complete
publication in two (2) newspapers of general circulation

Approved.