Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Quezon City

EIGHTEENTH CONGRESS
First Regular Session

HOUSE BILL No, _ 4934

EXPLANATORY NOTE

This bill seeks to declare Barangay Malico of the Municipality of
San Nicolas in the Province of Pangasinan as Ecotourism Zone.

Ecotourism involves travel to destinations where flora, fauna, and
cultural heritage are the primary attractions. It is intended to offer
tourists an insight into the impact of human beings to the environment,
and to foster a greater appreciation of the natural habitats.

Barangay Malico (Malico) of the Municipality of San Nicolas is
fortunate to be home to an untapped ecotourism destination which has
been laying unclaimed for the past several years. A barangay which has
shrugged off modern comfort for years, Malico rests on the crest of the
Caraballo Mountains with an altitude of 1,675 meters above sea level. It
has a land area of 1,618 hectares, more or less, nurtured by indigenous
people mostly from the Kalanguya Tribe. Cocooned by mother nature
with a cold climate as that of the City of Baguio, Malico produces
temperate crops like strawberries and other upland vegetables. It is
dotted with pine trees which are mute to Malico’s abundant cultural and
wartime history. It is also dubbed as the second summer capital of the
Philippines. Aside from the cold weather, Malico has a viewdeck which
offers a breathtaking sunset view over the plains of Pangasinan. A
hundred meters from the viewdeck also lies a Sherman tank of the
United States’ 32-4 Infantry Division, which became known as the “Red
Arrow Division”, a witness to the gruelling battle during the second world
war and a favorite photo spot for tourists abounding Malico. To this day,


Japanese tourists visit the WWII Peace Memorial Park in Malico, a park
for Japanese fallen heroes. Had the late President Marcos not been
exiled, it would have been developed and tagged as Marcos City.’

There is also the Villa Verde Trail. Historically significant, it is the
place of one of the fiercest battles between the Filipino, American and
Japanese forces during the 24 World War. Much has been said about
the landing of General Douglas McArthur at Lingayen Gulf, but little
emphasis has been made on the bloody skirmishes between the 32-4
Division of the U.S. Sixth Army and General Tomoyuki Yamashita’s 14»
Infantry Division where thousands of gallant soldiers fell, mostly in stand
up fights, along the terrains of the Villa Verde Trail as evidenced by
numerous foxholes, spent bullets and casings, the Sherman tank, and
the WWII Peace Memorial Park.

The Villa Verde Trail commonly known as the Villa Verde Road is a
major link connecting the Ilocos Region to Cagayan Valley via Santa Fe,
Nueva Vizcaya. Motorists originating from Pangasinan and Region III
need not negotiate the Dalton Pass to reach Sta. Fe. The Villa Verde Road
is now under major rehabilitation.

Recently, Malico has become a favorite destination to hikers,
bikers, and tourists. Before the pristine view, cultural and historical
heritage of Malico is lost to the perils of urbanization, there is a need to
equally protect the same through appropriate legislative measures such
as its declaration as ecotourism zone. With its declaration, the State can
advance Malico’s development without losing sight of its cultural,
historical, and anthropological heritage.

Hence, the approval of this bill is earnestly sought.

RONE D AGABAS


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Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Quezon City

EIGHTEENTH CONGRESS

HOUSE BILL NO. 4034

TYRONE D. AGABAS

AN ACT DECLARING BARANGAY MALICO IN THE

MUNICIPALITY OF SAN NICOLAS, PROVINCE OF PANGASINAN

AN ECOTOURISM ZONE AND APPROPRIATING FUNDS
THEREFOR

Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the

Philippines in Congress assembled:

SECTION 1. Barangay Malico in the Municipality of San
Nicolas, Province of Pangasinan, is hereby declared as an
ecotourism zone. As such, its development shall be prioritized
by the Department of Tourism (DOT), subject to the rulesand

regulations governing the development of ecotourism zones.

SEC. 2. Within six (6) months after the approval of this Act,
the DOT in coordination with the Tourism Infrastructure and
Enterprise Zone Authority and other concerned agencies of
the government, shall prepare a tourism plan involving the
construction, installation and maintenance of such
appropriate facilities and infrastructure as shall encourage
tourism in the area: Provided, That the development plan
shall ensure the preservation of the natural beauty and

historical significance in the area.

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SEC. 3. The DOT shall take immediate steps to implement the
tourism development plan and incorporate the same in its

tourism development program for the ensuing calendar year.

SEC. 4. 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 internally generated funds of the
DOT.

SEC. 5. Within sixty (60) days from the effectivity of this Act,
the Secretary of the DOT shall promulgate the necessary rules
and regulations for its proper implementation.

SEC. 6. This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after its
publication in the Official Gazette or in a newspaper of

general circulation.

Approved,

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