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Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Quezon City

SIXTEENTH CONGRESS
Second Regular Session

House BILL No. 9689

Introd

‘d by Rep. Abdullah D. Dimaporo
EXPLANATORY NOTE

This bill secks to declare the Sta. Cruz. Falls, Located in Barangay Sta. Cruz, Municipality
of Kapatagan, Lanao del Norte, as a tourism development site to ensure the full development of
the site as a viable tourism destination in line with the national government’s thrust of enhancing,
the country’s tourism sector as a pillar of national development

Sta, Cruz Falls is one of Kapatagan’s popular tourist destinations. It is approximately two
kilometers from the national highway and is surrounded with lush vegetation, ‘The trail leading to
the falls is challenging and suits more for the adventurous type of tourists who will have to cross
a river and hike for about an hour to reach the waterfalls, When they reach the foot of the falls,
however, they will surely realize that the time spent and the hardships they went through were all
worth it. A sight to behold will surely delight them with the site’s unspoiled environs that add to
its mysteriously enthralling grandeur.

Despite its vast potentials as a viable tourism destination, however, Sta. Cruz Falls is still
too far away from its maximum potential. Accessibility is a big concern for tourists, save for the
adventurous type. Facilities are yet to be built to add value to its natural beauty and entice more
tourists to come.

With proper development, the Sta. Cruz Falls has the potential to become a prime tourist
destination. It can be marketed in conjunction with the other tourism sites in Lanao del Norte.
While the Province boasts of a number of waterfalls, the Sta. Cruz Falls has its unique
characteristics that complement the attractions of the others. Hence, the national government
should step in to introduce new and appropriate developments in the premises of the site to
further enhance its beauty and promote it properly as an attractive tourist destination in the
national and international levels without compromising its sustainability as an ecologically-
sensitive natural site. These tasks may unduly burden the host LGUs in terms of technical and
financial capabilities,

Itis, therefore, the objective of this bill to develop the Sta. Cruz Falls to its maximum
potential and promote it as one of the leading tourist destinations in Northern Mindanao with its
natural beauty and unique attractions, by declaring it as tourism development site. Doing so will
certainly increase awareness and appreciation for the site and will foster both local and
international interest and attention that may eventually increase economic activity in the host
municipality and promote the Province of Lanao del Norte as a viable tourist destination,

Treaestly sought,
_

REW. ABDULLAH D. DIMAPORO
Second District, Lanao del Norte

In view of these premises, the prompt approval of this



Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Quezon City

SIXTEENTH CONGRESS
Second Regular Session

HOUSE BILL NO SOBS

Introduced by Rep. Abdullah D. Dimaporo

AN ACT
DECLARING STA, CRUZ FALLS LOCATED IN BARANGAY STA. CRUZ,
MUNICIPALITY OF KAPATAGAN, PROVINCE OF LANAO DEL NORTE AS A
TOURISM DEVELOPMENT SITE AND APPROPRIATING FUNDS THEREFORE

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

SECTION I, The Sta. Cruz Falls located in Barangay Sta. Cruz, Municipality of
Kapatagan, Province of Lanao del Norte is hereby declared a tourism development site, As
such, the Department of Tourism (DOT) is mandated to incorporate it in the Philippine
National Tourism Development Plan

SECTION 2. The DOT, in coordination with the Tourism Infrastructure and
Enterprise Zone Authority (TIEZA) and the provincial and municipal local government units
concerned, shall, within one (I) year after the approval of this Act, prepare a tourism
development plan for the area that will ensure its viability and sustainability, and undertake
the implementation of the said plan.

SECTION 3. The DOT, in coordination with the provincial and municipal local
government units concerned, shall issue such rules and regulations as it may deem necessary
for the implementation of this Act.

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/or internally generated funds of the Department.

SECTION 5. This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after its publication in the
Official Gazette or in a newspaper of general circulation.

Approved,