Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF  REPRESENTATIVES
Quezon City, Metro Manila
NINETEENTH  CONGRESS
First Regular Session
HOUSEB|LLNo.5296
Introduced  by REP.  PRINCESS RIHAN MANGUDADATU SAKALURAN
EXPLANATORY  NOTE
This  bill  seeks  to  declare  the  Municipality  of  Columbio,  Province  of  Sultan
Kudarat as eco-tourism zone.
The Municipality of Columbio with its numerous scenic views of mountains and
other natural wonders in almost 9 of its  16 barangays is one of the most sought after
tourism  destination  in  the  Province  of Sultan  Kudarat.  The  Municipality is  renowned
because of their various forest and  nature parks, nature trails, river adventures, rock
formations  and  ecological  and  hiking  trails.  Hence,  its  declaration  as  eco-tourism
zone is a right direction to enhance its tourism viability.
To   date,   on   its   own,   the   tourist   influx   cannot   be   simply  ignored   thus,   if
declared as eco-tourism zone and be equipped with services and facilities essential
as a tourist destination the municipality can be easily developed into a top rate eco~
tourism zone. After all, Section 2 of Republic Act 9593 states that "the State dec`ares
t_a_:Lr.isT_PS. _?n  inFlispersFlble  element  of  the  national  economy  and  an  industiv -;f
T?t_ipnal   interest  and..importance,   which   must   be   harnessid   as   an   engin6   of
s_?=_i?==?Tomic.  growth  and. cultural  Off.Irmation  to  generate  investment,-foreign
ex€range  and  employment,  and  to  continue  to  mold  an  enhanced  sense-of
national pride for all Filipinos".
Verily, tourism offers a wide range of benefits not only to the host municipality
but to the country as whole. Tourism boost the revenue of the economy, create jobs,
develop infrastructure and improved the municipality's image.


Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF:  REPRESENTATIVES
Quezon City, Metro Manila
NINETEENTH CONGRESS
First Regular Session
HOUSEBiLLNo.5296
Introduced  by REP.  PRINCESS RIHAN MANGUDADATU SAKALURAN
AN ACT DECLARING THE MUNICIPALITY OF COLUMBIO,  PROVINCE OF SULTAN
KUDARAT, AN  ECOTOURISM ZONE, AND APPROPRIATING FUNDS THEREFOR
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives in Congress assembled:
SECTION  1. This Act shall be known as "Columbio Ecotourism Zone Act"
SECTION 2.  Declaration of Policy- lt is hereby declared the  policy of the State
to    promote    a    tourism    industry    that    is    ecologically    sustainable,    responsible,
participative, culturally-sensitive, economically viable.
SECTION   3.   The   Municipality   of   Columbio,   Province   of  Sultan   Kudarat,   is
hereby  declared  an  ecotourism  zone,  its  development  shaH  be  prioritized  by  the
Department  of  Tourism   (DOT)   and  shall   be  subject  to  the  rules  and  regulations
governing the development of eco-tourism zones.
The DOT shall prepare the development plan for the Municipality of Columbio
and  shall  incorporate  the  same  in  the  overall  National  Tourism  Development  Plan
(NTDP),  pursuant  to  republic  Act  No.  9593,  otherwise  known  as  the  "Tourism  Act  of
2009". The  Plan  shall  be  implemented jointly with  the  Municipality of Columbio,  the
Province   of  Sultan   Kudarat,   and   the   Tourism   Infrastructure   and   Enterprise   Zone
Authority  (TIEZA).
The  DOT,  in  coordination  with  the  Municipality  of  Columbio,  the  Province  of
Sultan  Kudarat,  the  TIEZA  and  other concerned  agencies  of the  government,  shall


identify   well-defined       geographic   areas   within   the   Municipality   of   Columbio
ecotourism  zone,  which  shall  include  the  La  Palmera  Mountain  Ridges,  Asmakol
Water  park,  Fetam  Klego  Underground  River  Park,  Kolongled  Bamboo  Forest  and
Nature  Park,  Kawing  Forest  Reserved  and  Nature  Park,  Columbio  Eco-Tourism  Park,
Mt.  Alip  Mountain  Ranges  Eco-Tourism  Adventure  Park,  Sinalkuhan  Trail  Adventure,
Bitter  Lion's   Eco  Adventure   Park,   Columbio   Circumferential   Road   Trail,   Mt.   Bolol
Lomot   Forest   Reserved,   Bukay   EI   Nature  Trail,  Abnahaw   Eco-Park,   Polomok   Eco
Adventure,   Pangadilan   River   Adventure   &   Rock   Formations,   Salnaong   Cultural
Tourism , Tacol Falls,  Balaisan  Eco Trail,  Libertad  Ecological and  Hiking Trail, Columbio
Eco  360  Eco  Trail  and  existing  infrastructure  and    facilities  therein,  and  ensure  the
integrated  development of these areas for the optimum  utilization of natural assets
and attractions, as well as preservation of their historic significance.
SECTION   4.  The  Secretary   of  the   DOT,   shall   include   in   the   Department's
program  the  implementation  of  this  Act,  the  funding  of which  shall  be  included  in
the annual General Appropriations Act and internally-generated funds of the DOT.
SECTION  5.  Within  sixty  (60)  days  after effectivity  of  this  Act,  the  Secretary  of
the  DOT,  in  consultation  with  the  Municipality  of  Columbio,  the  Province  of  Sultan
Kudarat   shaH   promulgate   the   necessary   rules   and   regulations   for   the   proper
implementation of this Act.
SECTION   6.   All   laws,   orders,   decrees,   rules   and   regulations   and   other
issuances, or parts thereof which are inconsistent with  this Act are hereby repealed
or modified accordingly.
SECTION 7. This Act shall take effect fifteen  (15)  days after its publication in the
official Gazette or in a newspaper of general circulation.