NINETEENTH CONGRESS OF THE ) 
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES ) 
First Regular Session 
)
SENATE
S. No. 1931
of lijf £'. 'rrtnr2’
23 FEB 27 P3 :25
RECEIVLD 3V:
Introduced by SENATOR CYNTHIA A. VILLAR
AN ACT
IDENTIFYING TOURISM DEVELOPMENT AREAS IN THE PROVINCE OF 
ISABELA, MANDATING SUPPORT FOR TOURISM DEVELOPMENT, 
CREATING THE ISABELA TOURISM COUNCIL
EXPLANATORY NOTE
The Province of Isabela is home to some of the most captivating potential 
tourism destinations in Northern Luzon. A sample of these landmarks include: 
Aguinaldo Shrine, Bonsai Forest, Camp Samal, Crocodile Sanctuary of San Mariano, 
Dibulo Falls, Dicotcotan Beach, Fuyot Springs National Park, Giant Butaka, 
Honeymoon Island, Landmark of Heroes, Maconacon Falls, Magat Dam Tourism 
Complex, Mororan River, Palanan Rainforest, and Sinavulluan Caves.
Despite Isabela's great potential as a heritage and ecotourism powerhouse, 
the province's tourism infrastructure is severely underdeveloped. There is also a 
critical lack of long-term planning for tourism development. As such, Isabela's 
potential as a tourism powerhouse remains undeveloped, and opportunities for 
economic growth and job creation in the tourism sector remain underutilized.
In order to finally bring Isabela's full tourism potential to realization, this bill 
seeks the creation of the Isabela Tourism Council to identify and nurture Tourism 
Development Areas throughout the province. This will set the stage for the crafting 
of a Provincial Tourism Development Plan that will be incorporated into the National 
Tourism Development Plan under the Department of Tourism. The implementation


of this Act would result in the development of provincial tourism support facilities 
and infrastructure as we seek to unlock the true potential of the Province of Isabela 
as a domestic and international tourism powerhouse. This would serve as a catalyst 
for a province-wide tourism boom and stimulate significant economic growth for the 
benefit of the people of Isabela.
This is the Senate counterpart measure of HB No. 6072 principally authored 
by Hon. Ed Christopher Go, the Representative of the Second District of Isabela.
In view of the foregoing, I recommend the approval of this measure.
(J(A.
CYNTHIA A. VILLA^


NINETEENTH CONGRESS OF THE ) 
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES ) 
First Regular Session 
)
SENATE
S. No. 1931
^I'uau
of tl)f *'-n ptnrj)
23 FEB 27 P3 :25
RECEIVED Bv:
Introduced by SENATOR CYNTHIA A. VILLAR
AN ACT
IDENTIFYING TOURISM DEVELOPMENT AREAS IN THE PROVINCE OF 
ISABELA, MANDATING SUPPORT FOR TOURISM DEVELOPMENT, 
CREATING THE ISABELA TOURISM COUNCIL
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the Philippines in 
Congress assembled:
1 
Section 1. Declaration of Policy. - It is hereby declared the policy of the State
2 
to promote a tourism industry that is ecologically sustainable, responsible,
3 
participative, culturally sensitive, economically viable, and equitably beneficial
4 
to local communities. To this end, the State shall endeavor to provide the proper
5 
mechanisms and infrastructure for sustainable tourism development. It shall develop
6 
and promote certain areas and sites identified as tourist destinations or attractions in
7 
order to drive and propel inclusive growth throughout the country.
8 
Pursuant thereto, all areas within the Province of Isabela endowed with
9 
natural beauty or historical and cultural significance, with either existing or potential
10 
integrated leisure facilities developed for one or more tourism purpose, shall be
11 
considered tourism development areas (TDAs).
12 
Sec. 2. Identification and Declaration of Tourism Sites. - The areas in the
13 
Province of Isabela that have potential for tourism shall be declared as ecotourism,
14 
cultural heritage tourism, health and wellness tourism, general leisure tourism, or
15 
mixed-use tourism sites after consultation with the Department of Tourism (DOTO:
1


1 
Provided, That areas in environmentally protected areas shall not be declared
2 
tourism sites without consultation with the Department of Environment and Natural
3 
Resources (DENR).
4 
The survey and verification of the areas shall be conducted by the National
5 
Mapping and Resource Information Authority, in coordination with the Provincial
6 
Government of Isabela.
7 
Sec. 3. Isabela Tourism Council. - There is hereby created the Isabela
8 
Tourism Council, hereinafter referred to as Council, which shall be the primary
9 
policy-making, planning and coordinating body in the development of tourism in the
10 
Province of Isabela and the administration of tourism sites therein. It shall be
11 
composed of the following members:
12 
a) 
Provincial Governor of Isabela, as Chairperson;
13 
b) 
Municipal Mayors of all the municipalities and cities of the Province of
14 
Isabela, who shall elect from among themselves the Vice-Chairperson;
15 
c) 
Member of the Sangguniang Panlalawigan of Isabela, duly designated
16 
by such body; and
17 
d) 
Two (2) representatives from the private sector, appointed by the
18 
Chairperson of the Council, who shall serve for a period of two (2)
19 
years.
20 
The Provincial Government of Isabela shall provide a Secretariat for the
21 
Council including the funding necessary to cover expenses for the performance of its
22 
official functions and activities.
23 
Sec. 4. Functions of the Council. - The Council shall have the following
24 
functions:
25 
a) 
Identify and declare areas as tourism sites;
26 
b) 
Formulate programs and recommendations and manage local
27 
resources and funds to develop local tourism facilities and attractions;


1 
c) 
Assist in the regulation 
and supervision of tourism-oriented
2 
establishments, thereby ensuring wholesome 
and clean tourism
3 
activities;
4 
d) 
Assist in monitoring the implementation of the Local Government Code
5 
on the licensing of tourism establishments in the locality to ascertain
6 
safe and enjoyable stay of travelers;
7 
e) 
Strictly enforce health and sanitary standards in public restrooms
8 
frequented by public utility vehicles and tourist transport services, i.e.,
9 
gasoline stations and restaurants along main highways and bus stops;
10 
and
11 
f) 
Perform any other duties in accordance with the guidelines issued by
12 
the Department of the Interior and Local Government.
13 
Sec. 5. Isabela Tourism Development Plan. - The Council, in coordination
14 
with the provincial government of Isabela, LGUs of identified tourism sites, DOT,
15 
DENR and concerned agencies of the government, prepare a tourism development
16 
plan for the Province of Isabela. It shall delineate well defined geographic areas
17 
within the tourism sites and coordinate the integrated development of these sites for
18 
the optimal use of natural assets and attractions, as well as of existing facilities:
19 
Provided, That the said development plan shall ensure the preservation of the
20 
ecological balance and natural beauty of the areas: Provided, further. That the
21 
implementation of the tourism development plan shall be included in the respective
22 
budgets of the municipal governments of identified tourism sites.
23 
Sec. 6. Role of the DOT. - The DOT shall assist the Council and concerned
24 
LGUs in the implementation of the tourism development plan by providing technical
25 
assistance in tourism capacity building. It shall include the Province of Isabela in its
26 
national and regional tourism promotion programs.
27 
Sec. 7. Appropriations. -The funding for the implementation of this Act shall
28 
be included in the respective annual budgets of the municipal governments of
29 
identified tourism sites. The DOT may augment such allocation with internally-
30 
generated funds.


1 
Sec. 8. Implementing Rules and Regulations. - Within sixty (60) days from
2 
the effectivity of this Act, the Council, in consultation with concerned LGUs, DOT,
3 
DENR, Department of Public Works and Highways, Department of Transportation,
4 
National Economic and Development Authority and other concerned agencies of the
5 
government, promulgate rules and regulations to implement this Act.
6 
Sec. 9. Separability Clause. - If any provision of this Act shall be declared
7 
unconstitutional or invalid, the other provisions not affected thereby shall remain in
8 
full force and effect.
9 
Sec. 10. Repealing Clause. - All laws, rules, regulations, executive orders,
10 
proclamations, presidential decrees and other issuances inconsistent with any of the
11 
provisions of this Act are hereby deemed repealed or amended accordingly.
12 
Sec. 11. Effectivity. - This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after its
13 
publication in the Official Gazette or in a newspaper of general circulation.
Approved,