Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Quezon City

SIXTEENTH CONGRESS
First Regular Session

HOUSE BILL NO. _ 7?

Introduced by HON. FLORENCIO C. GARAY

EXPLANATORY NOTE

This bill seeks to declare the famed Enchanted River located in Barangay
Talisay, Municipality of Hinatuan, Province of Surigao del Sur as a Protected
Area under the category of Natural Park, providing for its management and for
other purposes.

Nestled within the mountainside and protected by dense forest covers,
visitors to the area are pleasantly surprised and awed by the Enchanted Rivers’
mesmerizing beauty. Its enchantment has beguiled and captivated tourists far
and wide, making the once-hidden blue lagoon a favorite tourist destination. Yet,
while the influx of visitors has its definite advantages, it also threatens the
ecological balance and biodiversity of the Enchanted River. The Enchanted
River is home to numerous species of marine life, as well as to various species of
flora and fauna. It is this natural wildlife which gives the river its enchantment
and thus must be protected.

It is therefore crucial that the Enchanted River is declared a natural park,
providing for its careful management so as to prevent the river's degradation and
ensure the protection, preservation and conservation of its natural beauty and
ecological balance.

Considering its national and local significance, the approval of this bill is

earnestly sought. .
Cw 4

FLORENCIO C. GARAY


Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Quezon City

SIXTEENTH CONGRESS
First Regular Session

HOUSE BILL No. __717

Introduced by Honorable Florencio C. Garay

AN ACT
DECLARING THE ENCHANTED RIVER LOCATED IN BARANGAY TALISAY,
MUNICIPALITY OF HINATUAN, PROVINCE OF SURIGAO DEL SUR, AS A
PROTECTED AREA UNDER THE CATEGORY OF NATURAL PARK,
PROVIDING FOR ITS MANAGEMENT AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES,

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

SECTION 1. The Enchanted River in Barangay Talisay, Municipality of
Hinatuan, Province of Surigao del Sur is hereby declared a protected area under
the category of a natural park, worthy of national concern and budgetary
assistance for its development and preservation as a world-class tourism and
ecology park.

SEC. 2. The Municipal Government of Hinatuan shall administer and
manage the Enchanted River National Park in coordination with the Department
of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR), the Department of Tourism and
the Provincial Government of Surigao de! Sur.

For this purpose, the Municipal Government of Hinatuan shall create a
Management Committee which shall formulate, develop and implement policies,
plans and programs for the development of the Enchanted River National Park
Said Management Committee shall be chaired by the Municipal Mayor of
Hinatuan and shall have, as members, a representative from (a) the Office of the
Congressman of the Second District of Surigao del Sur; (b) the Sangguniang
Panlungsod (c ) the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (d) the
Department of Tourism, and two (2) representatives coming from the private
sector, particularly from duly-registered non-government organizations (NGOs)
and people's organizations (POs) advocating tourism and ecology.


SEC.3. The amount of Twenty Million Pesos (P20,000,000.00) is
hereby appropriated annually to carry out the implementation of this Act, charged
against the national budget of the Department of Environment and Natural
Resources and the Department of Tourism, and included as an itemized
expenditure authorized under the General Appropriations Act.

SEC. 4. This Act shall take effect upon its approval.

Approved,