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NINETEENTH CONGRESS OF THE ) [ey E- Filed wW
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES ) IS RECEIVED y
Second Regular Session ) Z_ DATE November 20, 2023
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HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

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House Bill No, _9578_ Wo INDEX

Introduced by REPRESENTATIVES LANI MERCADO-REVILLA,
BRYAN B. REVILLA AND RAMON JOLO REVILLA Ill

ANACT
DECLARING THE SINEGUELASAN MANGROVES PARK, LOCATED IN DULONG
PULO, BARANGAY SINBANALI, BACOOR CITY, PROVINCE OF CAVITE, AN
ECOTOURISM ZONE TO BE KNOWN AS CITY OF BACOOR MANGROVE AND
ECOTOURISM PARK

EXPLANATORY NOTE

Mangroves are vital ecosystems that play a multifaceted role in environmental
conservation and community well-being. These unique coastal forests are
instrumental in mitigating soil erosion, offering protection against storm surges, and
serving as a crucial source of sustenance and shelter for various marine life forms
and avian species.’

In the light of these valuable contributions, the City of Bacoor takes immense
pride in its own mangroves park, nestled in Dulong Pulo, Barangay Sinbanali
(formerly Barangay Sineguelasan), a small barangay famous for its fish port,
mussels and oyster wharf. The Barangay is now known as Barangay Sinbanali,
following the merger of Barangays Sineguelasan, Banalo, and Alima. This previously
underutilized land, which had once been cultivated for tumips before being
transformed into a swampland, spans 40 hectares. 2 Approximately 20 hectares have

1 Bares, E. (2022, January 4). Mangroves as a solution fo the climate crisis. WWF. https:/www.woridwildite org/stories/
rmangroves-26-2-solution-to-the-cimate-crisis,

21s Deparment (2023, October 10), Mangrove Plntaton.Bacoor Cty Govermnnt hip: Bacoor gov phourisny
‘mangrove-plantation/t~ texteAs%20part%200t%20Mayor%20S1
Teevaceseincsonoomssoproprenss axcaoreramplonass2c8: 20m Simangroveh20ereeh20covered%.2040%20
hectares.


already been adorned with 132,000 propagules sourced from Sariaya, Quezon.
During colder seasons, it becomes a haven for migratory birds, while an abundance
of crabs, shrimps, and snails thrive within this flourishing mangrove plantation.4

Furthermore, numerous initiatives, apart from the local government of Bacoor,
have contributed to the propagation of mangroves. Notable among them is the
annual “Coastal Clean Up Drive’of the Department of Environment and Natural
Resources (DENR) led by the Cavite Provincial Environment and Natural Resources
Office (PENRO), the “Plant for Life” event organized by Maynilad water. 5
Additionally, the St. Dominic College of Asia has made significant strides in planting
mangroves in the area,$ further accentuating the collective commitment to preserving
these vital ecosystems.

Although this mangroves park has been featured in a number of vlogs,’ it
remains largely undiscovered by the general public. The lack of adequate
development and promotion has constrained its tourism potential. To harness the full
potential of this mangrove sanctuary, it is imperative that it be officially designated as
an ecotourism zone. Such a transformation will result in the betterment of the
environment, the local community, and the broader goals of sustainable
development.

Given these compelling reasons, the swift passage of this bill is earnestly

sought.

REP. IERCADO-REVILLA REP, SBYAN B, REVILLA
“AGIMAT Partylist

nd District of Cavite

REP. RAMON JOLO REVILLA II
1st District of Cavite

3 ibid.
4 i,

5 dela Cruz, A. (2023, October 10). 5K mangrove, tianim ng maynilad sa bacoor cavte. Philstar. Retrieved October 11, 2028,

‘rom https:/www philstar.com/plipino-ster-ngayon/metro/2022/04/03/217 1860/5k-mangrove-tinanimeng-mayrilad-sa-
Dacoor-eavit,

8 Amidst odds, SDCA plants mangroves. St. Dominic College of Asia. (2017, July 28). https/istdominiccollege.edu.ph!
‘index php/componenvk2/tem/82-amidst-odds-sdca-plants-mangroves

7 Hidden Mangrove Forest in Bacoor. Cavite Walk Tour (INOH), Meron Pala Mangrove Forest sa Bacoor Cavite (INOH), Hidden
Mangrove Forest sa Bacoor (Reynald TV)


NINETEENTH CONGRESS OF THE )
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES )
Second Regular Session )

HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

HOUSE BILL NO. _9578

Introduced by REPRESENTATIVES LANI MERCADO-REVILLA,
BRYAN B, REVILLA AND RAMON JOLO REVILLA Ill

AN ACT
DECLARING THE SINEGUELASAN MANGROVES PARK, LOCATED IN DULONG
PULO, BARANGAY SINBANALI, BACOOR CITY, PROVINCE OF CAVITE, AN
ECOTOURISM ZONE TO BE KNOWN AS CITY OF BACOOR MANGROVE AND
ECOTOURISM PARK

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

SECTION 14. The Sineguelasan Mangroves Park, located in Dulong Pulo,
Barangay Sinbanali, City of Bacoor, Province of Cavite, is hereby declared an
ecotourism zone to be known as the City of Bacoor Mangrove and Ecotourism Park.
Pursuant thereto, its development shall be prioritized and supported by the
Department of Tourism (DOT), subject to the rules and regulations governing the
development of ecotourism zones.

SECTION 2. Within one (1) year after the approval of this Act, the City
Government of Bacoor shall, in coordination with the DOT, Department of
Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) through the Provincial Environment
and Natural Resources Office (PENRO), the Office of the Second District
Representative of Cavite, other concerned agencies of government and community
‘stakeholders, prepare a tourism development plan that shall include the construction,
installation and maintenance of such appropriate infrastructure and facilities to
enhance tourism in the area: Provided, That said development plan shall ensure the
preservation and conservation of the natural beauty and resources of the area:
Provided, further, That the implementation of the tourism development plan shall be
included in the budget of the City Government of Bacoor, with the assistance of the


DOT TIEZA or Tourism Infrastructure and Enterprise Zone Authority and other
agencies of government and the private sector.

SECTION 3. The DOT shall assist the City Government of Bacoor in the
implementation of the tourism development plan by providing technical assistance
and in tourism capacity building. It shall also include the City of Bacoor Mangrove
and Ecotourism Park in its national and regional promotion programs.

SECTION 4. The funding for the implementation of this Act shall be included
in the annual budget of the city government of Bacoor. The DOT may augment such
allocation with internally-generated funds. The local government may seek
partnerships with private sector through joint venture and private-public partnerships
in accordance with law and local ordinances.

SECTION 5. Within sixty (60) days from the effectivity of this Act, the City
Government of Bacoor shall, in consultation with the DENR through the Cavite-
PENRO, the Second District Representative of Cavite, the DOT, other concerned
agencies of government, and community stakeholders promulgate rules and
regulations to implement this Act.

SECTION 6. If any provision of this Act shall be declared unconstitutional or
invalid, the other provisions not affected thereby shall remain in full force and effect.

SECTION 7. All laws, rules, regulations, presidential decrees and other
issuances inconsistent with any of the provisions of this Act are hereby deemed
repealed or amended accordingly.

SECTION 8. This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after its publication in

the Official Gazette or in a newspaper of general circulation.

Approved,