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Republic of the Philippines 
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES 
Quezon City 
TWENTIETH CONGRESS 
First Regular Session 
HOUSE BILL NO. 697 
Introduced by REP. JAVIER MIGUEL “JAVI” L. BENITEZ 
EXPLANATORY NOTE 
Tourism is an important engine of economic growth. However, tourism 
may have negative social and environmental impacts. Tourism activities may 
cause environmental damage and exceed the ecological carrying capacity of an 
area.  
To address this, the Government has committed to promote sustainable 
tourism – tourism that addresses “the needs of visitors, the industry, the 
environment and host communities.”  
Ecotourism is a form of sustainable tourism. The United Nations World 
Tourism Organization defines ecotourism as tourism wherein the main 
motivation of tourists is the observation and appreciation of nature and 
traditional cultures prevailing in natural areas. It is a form of tourism that 
generates economic benefits for host communities, nature conservation 
organizations or authorities managing natural areas; provides alternative 
employment and income for local communities; but minimizes negative 
impacts on the natural and socio-cultural environment, and increases 
awareness towards conservation of natural and cultural assets, both among 
locals and tourists. 
Understanding this, the Provincial Government of Negros Occidental 
(PGNO) has outlined plans to develop a portion of the 62-hectare forest land in 
Sitio Pulak-Pulakan, Talisay City as an ecotourism site. The forest land lies at 
the edge of the Northern Negros Natural Park and is part of a larger watershed 
that fills an intricate network of rivers. Initial survey also revealed rich 
biodiversity in the area. The PGNO has started the process of declaring the 
forest land as a Local Conservation Area, but will need a steady source of funds 
to protect the area. 
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Developing the 1.3-hectare clearing or grassy area of said forest land to 
host ecotourism activities will help generate income to support the PGNO’s 
efforts to protect the rich biodiversity in the area and ensure water security in 
the province.  
Presently, PGNO already maintains a bamboo nursery in the site, using 
agroforestry techniques. Part of the Provincial Government’s plan is to 
establish a bamboo treatment facility and a livelihood center where local 
artisans can make bamboo crafts. Inspired by bamboo architecture in Bali, 
Indonesia, PGNO is also integrating bamboo in the design of the facilities that 
will be constructed in the site, such as an information center, a multipurpose 
hall, a workshop or livelihood center, and a view deck. 
The Provincial Government of Negros Occidental, however, cannot bear 
the full cost of the establishment of this Nature Tourism and Biodiversity 
Conservation Center in Sitio Pulak-Pulakan. It needs the support of the 
National Government. 
Investing in ecotourism is investing in the future, ensuring that future 
generations will benefit from the beauty and bounty of nature. Apropos to this 
proposition is our earnest request for the immediate approval of this measure 
that will declare Sitio Puluk-Pulukan, Barangay San Fernando, City of Talisay 
an ecotourism zone and will channel funds for its sustainable development. 
JAVIER MIGUEL L. BENITEZ 


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Republic of the Philippines 
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES 
Quezon City 
TWENTIETH CONGRESS 
First Regular Session 
HOUSE BILL NO. 697 
Introduced by REP. JAVIER MIGUEL “JAVI” L. BENITEZ 
AN ACT DECLARING SITIO PULAK-PULAKAN, BARANGAY SAN 
FERNANDO, 
CITY 
OF 
TALISAY, 
PROVINCE 
OF 
NEGROS 
OCCIDENTAL, AN ECOTOURISM ZONE, PROVIDING FOR ITS 
DEVELOPMENT AND APPROPRIATING FUNDS THEREFOR 
Be it enacted by the Senate and the House of Representatives of the Philippines in 
Congress assembled: 
SECTION 1. Sitio Pulak-Pulakan, Barangay San Fernando, City of 
Talisay, Province of Negros Occidental, is hereby declared an ecotourism zone. 
As such, its development shall be prioritized by the Department of Tourism 
(DOT) and shall be subject to the rules and regulations governing the 
development of ecotourism zones.   
SEC. 2. Within one (1) year after the approval of this Act, the DOT, in 
coordination with the Provincial Government of Negros Occidental, the local 
government of the City of Talisay and agencies of the government, shall 
prepare a tourism development plan involving the construction, installation, 
and maintenance of appropriate infrastructure and facilities that shall enhance 
tourism in the area, including an information center, a view deck, a 
multipurpose hall, a bamboo treatment facility, a plant nursery, a wildlife 
research center, a livelihood center, and lodging facilities: Provided, That said 
development plan shall ensure the preservation and conservation of the natural 
ecosystems and resources of the area: Provided, further, That any activities and 
developments to be carried out in the area should conform with the concept of 
ecotourism as provided in the national ecotourism strategy jointly issued by 
the Department of Environment and Natural Resources and the DOT. 


 
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SEC. 3. The DOT and its concerned attached agencies shall take 
immediate steps to implement the tourism development plan that will suit the 
natural characteristics of Sitio Pulak-Pulakan, and shall incorporate the same 
in its tourism development program for the ensuing calendar year. It shall also 
include Sitio Pulak-Pulukan in all its national, regional and local promotion 
programs. 
 
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 from internally generated funds 
of the DOT. 
 
SEC. 5. The DOT shall transfer the management of the facilities to the 
Provincial Government of Negros Occidental within two (2) years after 
construction through a memorandum of agreement.  
 
SEC. 6. Within sixty (60) days from the effectivity of this Act, the 
Secretary of the DOT, in consultation with the Provincial Government of 
Negros Occidental and the local government unit of Talisay City, shall 
promulgate the necessary rules and regulations for the proper implementation 
of this Act. 
 
SEC. 7. If any provision of this Act or any part hereof is declared 
unconstitutional, the same shall not affect the validity and effectivity of the 
other provisions. 
 
SEC. 8. All laws, rules, regulations, proclamations and executive orders, 
or parts thereof, contrary to or inconsistent with this Act are hereby repealed 
or modified accordingly. 
 
SEC. 9. This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after its publication in 
the Official Gazette or in a newspaper of general circulation. 
 
Approved,