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FOURTEENTH CONGRESS OF THE 
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First Regular Session 
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REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES 
SENATE 
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S.NO. 2007 
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Introduced bv Senator Antonio “Sonnv” F. Trillanes IV 
Explanatory Note 
This bill aims to recognize, protect and promote the Philippines’ most outstanding roads having 
one of six core intrinsic qualities - scenic, historic, cultural, natural, recreational, and 
archaeological qualities - features which contribute to the character of the roadway and its 
communities. The National Scenic Byways designation aims to award routes that show the 
regional characteristics of the nation’s culture, history and landscape. 
National Scenic Byways represent the best of all scenic byways and provide visitors with a 
unique travel experience since they are considered tourist attractions in their own right. Under 
this measure, if a route is designated as such, it does not only gain an expected boost in tourism, 
but also becomes eligible for appropriations for improvements such as interpretive centers, view 
decks, and rest areas. Moreover, local residents will be encouraged to work closely with the 
Government and civic organizations to preserve and promote the unique local beauty and 
distinctive character of their own community. 
Recognition of scenic byways focuses not only on the promotion of roads, but also helps balance 
economic development and resource conservation in the localities. In the United States of 
America, strong scenic byways program, demonstrated strong community support and even 
encouraged the citizens to develop a corridor management plan that describes in detail the 
preservation, marketing, and improvement strategies for the byway. 
This program, seeks to preserve the beau@ of the designated scenic corridors, which reaps 
rewards by protecting community character while providing economic opportunities in tourism 
and recreation. 
Approval of this bill is earnestly urged 
q+--=xl=-u- 
A to io “Sonny” F. Trillanes IV 
Senator 


FOURTEENTH CONGRESS OF THE 
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REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES 
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First Regular Session 
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SENATE 
Introduced by Senator Antonio “Sonny” F. Trillanes IV 
AN ACT 
RECOGNIZING NATIONAL SCENIC BYWAYS IN THE PHILIPPINES THEREBY 
CREATING A NATIONAL SCENIC BYWAYS PROGRAM, APPROPRIATING FUNDS 
THEREFOR, AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES 
Be it enacted by the Senate and the House of Representatives of the Philippines in Congress 
assembled: 
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2008.” 
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shall mean: 
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SECTION 1. Short Title. This Act shall be known as the “National Scenic Byways Program of 
SEC. 2. Definition of Terms. For the purpose of this Act, the words and phrases used herein 
1) Grants - a non-repayable, non-bearing assistance or aid, given either through monetary or 
in kind, to encourage development or growth in an area. 
2) Byway - a minor or secondary road; a road other than the main road. 
3) National Scenic Byway - a road that is recognized for its archaeological, cultural, 
historic, natural, recreational, and/or scenic qualities. 
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SEC. 3. Designallon ofRoads. 
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1) In general. - The Secretary of Department of Tourism (DOT) shall cany out a 
national scenic byways program that recognizes roads having outstanding scenic, 
historic, cultural, natural, recreational, and archaeological qualities by designating the 
roads as “National Scenic Byways”. 
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2) Criteria. - The DOT Secretary shall designate roads to be recognized under the 
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national scenic byways program in accordance with the criteria developed by the 
department. 
3 )  Nomination. - To be considered for a designation, a road must be nominated by a 
national government agency, local government unit (LGU), or a civic organization 
situated in the locality of the road to be nominated. 
4) Reciprocal notification. - National Government agencies, LGUs, and civic 
organizations shall notify each other regarding nominations made under this subsection 
for roads that: 
a) are within the jurisdictional boundary of the National Government agencies, 
LGUs, and civic organizations; or 
b) directly connect to roads for which the National Government agencies, LGUs, 
and civic organizations is responsible. 
SEC. 4. Grants and Technical Assistance. 
1) In general. - The DOT Secretary shall make grants and provide technical assistance to 
National government agencies, LGUs, civic organizations to - 
a) implement projects on highways designated as National Scenic Byways. 
b) plan, design, and develop a National Government agency, LGU or civic 
organization scenic byway program. 
2) Priorities. - In making grants, the DOT Secretary shall give priority to - 
a) each eligible project that is associated with a highway that has been 
designated as a National Scenic Byway and that is consistent with the corridor 
management plan for the byway; 
b) each eligible project along a National Government agency, LGU or civic 
organization scenic byway that is consistent with the corridor management 
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plan for the byway, or is intended to foster the development of such a plan, 
and is carried out to make the byway eligible for designation as a National 
Scenic Byway; and 
c) each eligible project that is associated with the development of a National 
Government agency, LGU or civic organization scenic byway program. 
SEC. 5. Establishment of Philippines’ Byways Resource Center. 
a) In general, - 
The DOT Secretary shall allocate funds made available to carry out the 
establishment of the Philippines’ Byways Resource Center (PBRC). DOT shall oversee 
and manage the resources of the center. 
b) Technical Support and Education. - 
i) Use of Funds. - 
The Center shall use fimds allocated to the Center under this 
section to continue to provide technical support and conduct educational activities 
for the national scenic byways program. 
ii) Eligible Activities. - 
Technical support and educational activities carried out 
under this sub-section shall provide local officials and organizations associated 
with National Scenic Byways, with proactive, technical, and on-site customized 
assistance, including training, communications (including a public awareness 
series), publications, conferences, on-site meetings, and other assistance 
considered appropriate to develop and sustain such byways and roads. 
SEC. 6. Eligible Projects. - The following are projects that are eligible for Government 
assistance under this section: 
1) An activity related to the planning, design, or development of a National Government 
agency, LGU or civic organization scenic byway program. 
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2) Development and implementation of a corridor management plan to maintain the 
scenic, historical, recreational, cultural, natural, and archaeological characteristics of a 
byway corridor while providing for accommodation of increased tourism and 
development of related amenities. 
3) Safety improvements to a National Government scenic byway, LGU scenic byway or 
National Scenic Byway, to the extent that the improvements are necessary to 
accommodate increased traffic and changes in the types of vehicles using the highway as 
a result of the designation as a Government scenic byway, civic organization scenic 
byway or National Scenic Byway. 
4) Construction along a scenic byway of a facility for pedestrians and bicyclists, rest area, 
turnout, highway shoulder improvement, overlook, or interpretive facility. 
5) An improvement to a scenic byway that will enhance access to an area for the purpose 
of recreation, including water-related recreation. 
6) Protection of scenic, historical, recreational, cultural, natural, and archaeological 
resources in an area adjacent to a scenic byway. 
7) Development and provision of tourist information to the public, including interpretive 
information about a scenic byway. 
8) Development and implementation of a scenic byway marketing program. 
SEC. 7. Limitation ofGrants. - The DOT Secretary shall not make a grant under this section for 
any project that would not protect the scenic, historical, recreational, cultural, natural, and 
archaeological integrity of a highway and adjacent areas. 
SEC. 8. Savings Cfausa - The DOT Secretary shall not withhold any grant or impose any 
requirement on a National Government, LGU or civic organization as a condition of providing a 
grant or technical assistance for any scenic byway unless the requirement is consistent with the 
authority provided in this Act. 
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SEC. 9. Regulation. The DOT Secretary, in consultation with all concerned stakeholders shall 
issue the necessary rules and regulations of this Act within ninety (90) days after the effectivity 
of this Act. 
SEC. 10. Approprlatlom. - The amount necessw to carry out the provisions of this Act shall 
be provided out of the savings from the appropriations of the DOT for the current year. 
Thereafter, the sum necessary for the implementation of this Act shall be appropriated in the 
annual appropriations of the DOT. 
SEC. 11. Repealing Clnuse. All laws, decrees, orders, rules and regulations or parts thereof 
inconsistent with this Act are hereby repealed or amended accordingly. 
SEC. 12. Effectiviy. This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days upon its publication in at least 
two (2) general newspapers of national circulation. 
Approved, 
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