Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Quezon City

Seventeenth Congress
Second Regular Session

House BILL No. 7765

Introduced by Honorable Deogracias Victor “DV” B. Sai

EXPLANATORY NOTE

For inclusive growth to be achieved, opportunities for economic participation must be
enabled to people with the least access to these opportunities. This means putting in place
the mechanisms and the necessary support infrastructures so people will be encouraged to
actively do their part in pursuing growth and development.

The inclusion of the City of Vigan in the UNESCO World Heritage List was a
tremendous boost to the tourism sector in the Province of locos Sur particularly for the
residents of the First District. The UNESCO distinction created multiple opportunities for
people to maximize the economic gains presented by the honor and prestige of a heritage
destination. Trickle-down economics characterized the growth of micro, small, and medium
enterprises that capitalized on the popularity created by the inclusion of the City of Vigan in
the UNESCO List.

But apart from City of Vigan, adjacent municipalities of Sto. Domingo, Sta. Catalina,
Bantay, San lidefonso, San Vicente, Sinait, Cabugao, San Juan, Magsingal and Caoayan
have potentials of replicating the tourism attractiveness of the City of Vigan. Historical
landmarks such as old churches, buildings, and houses are scattered in these municipalities
that a timely and a comprehensive cultural mapping can help transform into another
heritage/pilgrimage and religious tourism destination zone. Given also the current interest
focused on farm and eco-tourism as well as wellness and adventure sports tourism, these
cited municipalities can offer local and international tourists a menu of activities and
destinations to choose from.

Proactively declaring these areas then as tourism destination and providing the
necessary funds for its development can hasten the creation of jobs and other economic
opportunities.

This bill then seeks to declare the areas of Sto. Domingo, Sta. Catalina, Bantay, San
Ildefonso, San Vicente, Sinait, Cabugao, San Juan, Magsingal and Caoayan as tourist
destination zones, providing for its development and appropriate funds therefor in view of the
policy of the State to promote a tourism industry that is ecologically sustainable, responsible,
participative, culturally sensitive, economically viable and ethically and socially equitable for

local communities as declared in R.A. 9593, otherwise known as the “Tourism Act of 2009”
In view of the foregoing, the passage of house bill sought.
Hon. Deograci “DV” B. Savellano

Representative


Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Quezon City

Seventeenth Congress
Second Regular Session

HOUSE BILL No._2765

Introduced by Honorable Deogracias Victor “DV” B. Savellano

AN ACT

DECLARING THE MUNICIPALITIES OF STO. DOMINGO, STA. CATALINA,
BANTAY, SAN ILDEFONSO, SAN VICENTE, SINAIT, CABUGAO, SAN JUAN,
MAGSINGAL AND CAOAYAN AS TOURIST DESTINATIONS PROVIDING FOR ITS
DEVELOPMENT AND APPROPRIATING FUNDS THEREFOR

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

SECTION 1. The municipalities of Sto. Domingo, Sta. Catalina, Bantay, San
lidefonso, San Vicente, Sinait, Cabugao, San Juan, Magsingal and Caoayan are
hereby declared as tourist destinations. As such, these shall be accord with priority
development by the Department of Tourism (DOT) and shall be subject to rules and
regulations governing the development of tourism destination.

SECTION 2. The Department of Tourism in coordination with the local government
units and other concerned agencies of the government, shall, within one (1) year after
the approval of this Act, prepare a development plan involving the construction,
installation and maintenance of such appropriate facilities and infrastructures as that
shall enhance tourism in the areas. Provided, that said development plan shall ensure
the preservation and coordination of the natural resources of the areas.

SECTION 3. The Department of Tourism shall take immediate step in implementing
the tourism development plan that will suit the natural characteristics of the
municipalities and shall incorporate the same in its overall development plans and
programs for national implementation.

SECTION 4. It shall also be the responsibility of the DOT to promote the six (6)
municipalities as tourism areas in all its national, regional and local promotion
programs.

SECTION 5. The Secretary of Tourism shall issue such rules and regulations as may
be necessary to carry out the purpose of this Act.


SECTION 6. The amount necessary to carry out the provisions of this Act shall be
included in the General Appropriations Act of the year following its enactment into law
and thereafter.

SECTION 7. All laws, rules, regulations, proclamations, executive orders or parts
thereof inconsistent with this Act, are hereby amended accordingly.

SECTION 8. If any section or part of this Act is held unconstitutional, no other section
or provision shall be affected.

SECTION 19. This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after its publication in two (2)
newspapers of general circulation.

Approved,