Republic of the Philippines 
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES 
Quezon City, Metro Manila 
NINETEENTH CONGRESS 
First Regular Session 
House Bill No. ______ 
Introduced by Honorable Ma. Alana Samantha Taliño Santos 
AN ACT DECLARING THE MALAGAP UNDERGROUND RIVER LOCATED IN 
BARANGAY MALAGAP, MUNICIPALITY OF BANISILAN, PROVINCE OF 
COTABATO, A TOURIST SPOT AND APPROPRIATING FUNDS THERFOR 
EXPLANATORY NOTE 
Our state policy outlines the need to promote, encourage, and develop tourism as a major national 
activity in which private sector investment, effort and initiative are fostered and supported. It shall 
be noted that tourism is an indispensable element of the national economy and an industry of 
national interest and importance, which must be harnessed as an engine of socio- economic growth 
and cultural affirmation to generate investment, foreign exchange, employment, and to continue 
to mold an enhanced sense of national pride for all Filipinos. 
This bill is geared towards declaring the Malagap Underground River as a tourist spot which can 
lead to the attraction of tourists and can bolster economic development in the province. Its 
declaration as a tourist spot can contribute to its development, protection, and preservation. 
Further, this also seeks to direct the Department of Tourism and other concerned local government 
entities to prepare a corresponding tourism development plan that shall ensure the aforementioned. 
In view of the foregoing, the passage of this bill is earnestly sought. 
HON. MA. ALANA SAMANTHA TALIÑO SANTOS 
Representative, 3rd District of Cotabato 
January 3, 2023
8:15 am
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Republic of the Philippines 
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES 
Quezon City, Metro Manila 
NINETEENTH CONGRESS 
First Regular Session 
House Bill No. ______ 
Introduced by Honorable Ma. Alana Samantha Taliño Santos 
AN ACT DECLARING THE MALAGAP UNDERGROUND RIVER LOCATED IN 
BARANGAY MALAGAP, MUNICIPALITY OF BANISILAN, PROVINCE OF 
COTABATO, A TOURIST SPOT AND APPROPRIATING FUNDS THEREFORE 
Be it enacted by the Senate and the House of Representatives of the Philippines in Congress 
assembled: 
SECTION 1. The Malagap Underground River located in Barangay Malagap, 
Municipality of Banisilan, 3rd District of the Province of Cotabato, is hereby declared a tourist 
spot. As such, its development as well as the access roads leading thereto shall be prioritized by 
the Department of Tourism (DOT), subject to the rules and regulations governing the development 
of tourist destinations.  
SECTION 2. Within one (1) year from the approval of this Act, the DOT, in coordination 
with the concerned local government units and agencies of the government such as the Tourism 
Infrastructure and Enterprise Zone Authority (TIEZA), shall prepare a tourism development plan, 
containing, among others, the construction, installation and maintenance of such appropriate 
facilities and infrastructure that shall encourage tourism in the area. Provided, that said 
development plan shall ensure the preservation and conservation of the natural beauty and 
historical significance thereof. 
SECTION 3: The DOT and TIEZA shall take immediate steps to implement the 
development plan and incorporate that same in its National Tourism Development Plan for the 
ensuing calendar year.  
SECTION 4: The Secretary of the DOT shall include in the program of the Department 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. 
SECTION 5. Within sixty (60) days from the effectivity of this Act, the Secretary of the 
DOT shall promulgate the necessary rules and regulations for the proper implementation of this 
Act.  
SECTION 6: This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after its publication in the Official 
Gazette or in a newspaper of general circulation. 
Approved, 
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