Republic of the Philippines
a HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Quezon City

Eighteenth Congress

Eirst Regular Session

House Bill No 3648

Introducéd by REP. MERCEDES C. CAGAS

EXPLANATORY NOTE

Whereas Batangas had been labelled as the coffee capital of the Philippines, there are a
lot of areas’in the Philippines with high coffee production potentials, and one of which is the
Barangay Balutakay in Bansalan Davao del Sur.

Barangay Balutakay, located 400 to 1,000 meters above sea level at the foothills of Mt
Apo, has a micro-climate that favors coffee-growing efforts.

in addition, the volcanic soil of Barangay Balutakay gives the coffee a distinct flavor and
quality. Despite these potentials, the coffee farmers of Barangay Balutakay are still met with
some challenges brought by the lack of local market demand.

Reports from MindaNews said at present, around 60 farmers are engaged in coffee
farming, with at least 50 hectares estimated to have been planted with Arabica coffee trees, Each
hectare has around 1,800 to 2,000 trees. Harvest peaks between October to January, which yield
the farmers around 10 to 20 metric tons of dried coffee beans.

Declaring Balutakay as an eco-agritourism site would not only assist the farmers with
their livelihood but also promote the growing coffee plantation in the area and create lasting
solutions to the challehiges experienced by the farmers. Coffee production also provides a diverse
habitat for native species, allows the soil to replenish nutrients and provides natural pest control.
In addition, Barangay Balutakay is home to Salinta Monon, who is touted to be the "last Bagobo
weaver" and a National Manlilikha awardee. Salinta has built a solid reputation for her weaves of


traditional Bagobo-Tagabawa textiles. However, she passed into legend in 2009, which leaves us
\with few semaining weavers in barangay Balutakay.

Endangered not only for lack of proponents, the art, which is considered the last links to a
colorful tradition of their tribe is also endangered because of the declining cultivation of abaca
plant to make the distinctive cloth, inctbel, The ancestral land of Salinta Monon no longer yields
hough ‘produce to’sustain the materials, making life for thé remaining weavers a constant

_ struggle

.This declaration will promote the preservation of the knowledge and technique of
weaving the traditional Bagobo-Tagabawa textiles, which has been enduring the verge of
extinction for years.

“It ig‘the policy of State to accord priority status to sustainable, vibrant and profitable
+ tourism development as one, of the engines of socio-economic growth, cultural affirmation to

Zenerate investment, foreign exchange dnd employment.

"in view of the foregoing, approval of this bill is earnestly urged.

Ll MERCEDES C. Kacas

w


Republic of the Philippines nee

HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES — ~*~
Quezon City
Eighteenth Congress
‘iM First Regular Session

3648

House Bili No:

Introduced by REP. MERCEDES C. CAGAS "

AN ACT DECLARING BARANGAY BALUTAKAY IN THE MUNICIPALITY OF
BANSALAN, PROVINCE OF DAVAO DEL SUR AS AN ECO-AGRITOURISM SITE
AND APPROPRIATING FUNDS THEREFOR

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

SECTION 1. Title. - This Act shall be known as “Barangay Balutakay Eco-agritourism

SECTION 2. Declaration of Policy. - It is hereby declared the policy of the State to
promote a tourism industry that is ecologically sustainable, responsible, participative, culturally
sensitive, economieally viable, and equitable for local communities.

SECTION 3. Barangay Balutakay Eco-Agritourism Site. Barangay Balutakay in the
Municipality of Bansalan, Davao Del Sur is hereby declared an eco-agritourism site. Its
development shall be prioritized by the Department of Tourism (DOT) and shall be subject to the
rules and regulations governing the development of the eco-agritourism site

The DOT shall prepare a development plan that ensures the preservation and
conservation of the natural resources of the area. The plan should also include construction and
maintenance of necessary facilities to enhance the eco-agritourism. area and ensure optimum
utilization of assets and resources available.


SECTION 4. Implementing Rules and Regulations. ~ 1t shall be’the responsibility of
DO’ to promote Barangay Balutakay as an eco-agritourism destination in all its ‘national,
regional and local promotion programs. DOT, in consultation with the province of Davao Del
Sur and the Tourism Infrastructure and Enterprise Zone Authority (TIEZA) shall promulgate the
necessary rules and regulations for the effective implementation of this Act.

SECTION 5. Appropriations. — The funding of this act shall be included in the annual
General Appropriations Act and internally generated funds of DOT, the year following its
enactment into law and thereafter. ; 7 :
SECTION 6. Repealing Clause. — All laws, rules, regulations, proclamations, executive
ordeis, proclamations:and administrative regulations, or any part or parts thereof, which are
~ inconsistent with this Act are hereby repealed or modified accordingly.

SECTION 7. Effectivity. - This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after its publication
in the Official Gazette or in a national newspaper of general circulation.

Approved,