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EIGHTEENTH CONGRESS OF THE ) 
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES ) 
Second Regular Session 
 
) 
 
SENATE 
S.B. No.   _______ 
 
 
Introduced by SENATOR IMEE R. MARCOS 
 
 
AN ACT DECLARING BARANGAY KAPATAGAN IN THE CITY OF DIGOS, 
PROVINCE OF DAVAO DEL SUR, AN ECOTOURISM SITE, 
AND APPROPRIATING FUNDS THEREFOR 
 
EXPLANATORY NOTE 
 
Section 16 of Article II of the 1987 Philippine Constitution provides that, “The 
State shall protect and advance the right of the people to a balanced and healthful 
ecology in accord with the rhythm and harmony of nature.” 
Ecotourism Philippines defines ecotourism as a form of sustainable tourism within 
a natural and cultural  heritage area where community participation, protection and 
management of natural resources, culture and indigenous knowledge and practices, 
environmental education and ethics as well as economic benefits are fostered and 
pursued for the enrichment of host communities and satisfaction of visitors. 
Kapatagan, formerly known as Rizal, is a barangay in Digos City in the province 
of Davao del Sur. On 19 June 1971, President Ferdinand Marcos signed into law 
Republic Act No. 6210 which converted the sitio of Kapatagan into a distinct and 
independent barrio of the then Municipality of Digos. Kapatagan lies on the eastern 
part of Mt. Apo, and North of Digos with a total land area of 8,333.33 hectares 
comprising of 54 puroks.  
Amidst the continuing surge of the pandemic, local governments are reopening 
tourism sites in Davao del Sur this year. The sites included those situated in Sta Cruz, 
Matanao, Bansalan, and Digos City, including Kapatagan. Among tourism features in 
the sites include Mt Apo, Matanao caves, Digos farms and flower gardens, and various 
eco-adventure sites in Sta Cruz. Kapatagan also beholds a wide variety of flora and 
fauna which includes Cavendish banana, the Philippine eagle, and Asian Palm Civets 
which are famous for producing one of the world’s most expensive and rare coffee. 
According to the United Nations Environment Programme, local communities 
benefit through employment, business opportunities, and social projects. Moreover, 
ecotourism contributes significantly to national economies. Travel Trade Gazette 
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(TTG) Asia published in June 2020 that the Philippine ecotourism is poised to reign 
supreme as the country transition to the new normal. With a lot of promising 
attractions in Kapatagan, it is but fitting to not just boast its beauty but to enhance its 
aesthetic value and harness economic benefits ensuring sustainability of ecotourism 
for the benefit of future generations. 
This bill seeks to encourages positive experience for tourists, minimize the 
unwanted impact of tourism on the environment, and improve the well-being of local 
people residing in the area by declaring Barangay Kapatagan in Digos, Davao del Sur 
as an ecotourism site. 
In view of the foregoing, the expeditious passage of this bill is earnestly sought. 
 
 
IMEE R. MARCOS  
 
 
 


 
 
 
1 
 
 
EIGHTEENTH CONGRESS OF THE ) 
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES ) 
Second Regular Session 
 
) 
 
SENATE 
S.B. No.   _______ 
 
 
Introduced by SENATOR IMEE R. MARCOS 
 
 
AN ACT DECLARING BARANGAY KAPATAGAN IN THE CITY OF DIGOS, 
PROVINCE OF DAVAO DEL SUR, AN ECOTOURISM SITE, 
AND APPROPRIATING FUNDS THEREFOR 
 
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the Philippines in Congress 
assembled: 
SECTION 1. This Act shall be known as “The Barangay Kapatagan Ecotourism 
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Act.” 
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SEC. 2. Barangay Kapatagan in the City of Digos, Province of Davao del Sur, is 
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hereby declared an ecotourism site. As such, its development shall be prioritized by 
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the Department of Tourism (DOT), subject to the rules and regulations governing the 
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development of ecotourism sites. 
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SEC. 3. Within one (1) year after the approval of this Act, the DOT shall prepare 
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a tourism development plan including the construction, instaliation and maintenance 
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of such appropriate facilities and infrastructure that shall enhance ecotourism in the 
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area: Provided, That said development plan shall ensure the preservation, 
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conservation and optimum utilization of available assets and resources in the area. 
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SEC. 4. The DOT shall take immediate steps to implement the development plan 
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and incorporate the same in its tourism development program for the ensuing calendar 
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year. It shall also include the Barangay Kapatagan ecotourism site in all its national, 
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regional and local promotions programs.  
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SEC. 5. The Secretary of the DOT shall include in the Department’s program the 
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implementation of this Act, the funding of which shall be included in the annual 
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General Appropriations Act and shall augment such allocation with internally 
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generated funds of the DOT.  
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SEC. 6. Within sixty (60) days from the effectivity of this Act, the DOT, in 
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consultation with the Tourism Infrastructure and Enterprise Zone Authority and the 
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provincial government of Davao del Sur, shall promulgate the necessary rules and 
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regulations for the proper implementation of this Act.  
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SEC. 7. All laws, decrees, executive orders, letters of implementation, rules and 
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regulations or parts thereof inconsistent with any provision of this Act are hereby 
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repealed, modified, superseded or amended accordingly. 
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SEC. 8. This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after its publication in the 
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Official Gazette or in a newspaper of general circulation.  
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Approved,