neesl OF REPRESENTATIVES

RECEIVED
Republic of the Philippines 7
HOUSEOF REPRESENTATIVES pare:_27 JUL 2016 :
Quezon City UME: [[-Dy om
BY:

SIXTEENTH CONGRESS
First Regular Session BRR
19 BILLS AND IN7X SERVICE

HOUSE BILL NO.

INTRODUCED BY HONORABLE CHERYL DELOSO-MONTALLA

EXPLANATORY NOTE

After its eruption 1995, Mount Pinatubo which is situated in the Province of
Zambales, redefined its physical appearance. The once fierce volcano is now host to a
number of attractions that make it one of the most visited spots by both local and foreign
tourists. In addition to the natural beauty exuded by the volcano, the rich soil is a
veritable source of nutrient suitable for high value crops and other farm produce.

With these attributes of Mount Pinatubo, the issue of sustainability of the tourism
and agricultural potential of the volcano comes to mind. As of today, little to none is
being done not only to promote ecotourism in the area without disregarding the impact
of human invasion in the rich ecosystem of Mount Pinatubo. It is also noteworthy to
state that little to none is being made to ensure the practice of responsible agriculture in
the area in order to harness the full potential of the rich volcanic soil of Mount Pinatubo

This bill was filed during the 16 Congress, was approved by the House of
Representatives on 3 Reading and was transmitted to the Senate for consideration
However, it only managed to reach 2" Reading in the Senate. In view of this, this bill is
being refilled and proposes to declare Mount Pinatubo as an ecotourism zone that shall
be governed by a composite body that will ensure the sustainability of the agri-
ecotourist spot,

Immediate passage of this bill is earnestly sought /

CHERYL DELOSO MONTALLA
epresentative
2 District, Zambales


Republic of the Philippines
HOUSEOF REPRESENTATIVES
Quezon City

SIXTEENTH CONGRESS
First Regular Session

is
HOUSE BILL NO. 2015

INTRODUCED BY HONORABLE CHERYL DELOSO-MONTALLA

AN ACT
DECLARING MT. PINATUBO. IN ZAMBALES AS AN ECOTOURISM ZONE,
APPROPRIATING FUNDS THEREFOR AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES

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

SECTION 1. Declaration of Policy. It is hereby declared the policy of the state to
promote a sustainable ecotourism industry to attract local and foreign tourists while
making them aware of the urgent need to preserve the blessings of nature.

SECTION 2. Mt. Pinatubo Ecotourism Zone, Mount Pinatubo is hereby declared
an ecotourism zone. The Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR)
shall, within 90 days after the approval of this Act, make an inventory of the existing
flora and fauna in Mt. Pinatubo that shall serve as the basis for a master plan that will
be developed for the purpose of this Act.

SECTION 3. Mt. Pinatubo Ecotourism Governing Board. For the purpose of
Section 2 of this Act, an ecotourism governing board, to be known as the Mt. Pinatubo
Ecotourism Governing Board, is hereby created. The board shall be composed of the
Governor of the Province of Zambales who shall act as chairman, the Representative of
the Second District of Zambales who shall act as co-chair, the Secretaries of the
Department of Tourism and the Department of Environment and Natural Resources or
their duly authorized representatives, a member of a non-government organization
whose advocacy is environmental preservation, a member of the academe, a
representative of the business sector, a representative of the private sector and the
local chief executive of municipality where Mt. Pinatubo is situated. The governing
board shall prepare the rules and regulations necessary for the full implementation by
the concerned local government units of the provisions of this Act and shall, as the need
arises, amend, modify or revise such rules and regulations to meet the needs of
changing times.

SECTION 4, Mt. Pinatubo Ecotourism Master Plan. The Department of
Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) and the Department of Tourism (DOT)
shall, within one hundred twenty (120) days from approval of this Act, develop a master
plan to be approved by the President of the Republic of the Philippines upon the
recommendation of the governing board.

SECTION 5. Appropriation. The Secretary of the DOT shall include in the
Department's program the implementation of this Act, the funding of which shall be
included in the annual General Appropriations Act and/or the internally-generated fund
of the Department.


SECTION 6. Repealing Clause. All laws, rules, regulations, executive orders,
presidential decrees or any other issuance contrary to or inconsistent with any of the
provisions of this Act are hereby deemed repealed or modified accordingly.

SECTION 7. Separability Clause. If any provision or part of this Act may be
declared unconstitutional, the remaining provisions which are not affected shall remain
in full force and effect.

SECTION 8. Effectivity. This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after its
publication in the Official Gazette.

Approved,