Republic of the Philippines

House of Representatives
Quezon City

NINETEENTH CONGRESS
First Regular Session

House Bill No. 233

Introduced by Representative Reynante U. Arrogancia

EXPLANATORY NOTE

‘The Philippine Statistics Authority has reported that in 2020, the contribution of the
‘Tourism Direct Gross Value Added (TDGVA) to the Philippine economy was estimated at 5.4
percent, This amounted to Php973.31 billion which is significantly lower compared to 2019 by
61.2 percent, In 2019, the TDGVA amounted to Php2.51 trillion, The same report also states
that the emplayment in the tourism industry has declined to 4.68 million in 2020 compared with
5.72 million in 2019

The tourism industry in the Philippines was clearly one of the major drives of the
economic growth in the country prior to the onslaught of the Covid-19 pandemic, This is an
industry that needs support on its road to recovery. The institutionalizing of programs and
policies that would protect the welfare of all tourists and assure their safety can help the growth
and recovery of the industry. It is therefore necessary that personnel of tourism establishments,
tourism-oriented organization and individuals providing tourism-related services possess the
necessary skills to respond to emergency health situations. This could serve as one of the key
factors promoting the tourism industry on its path to recovery.

With all of these taken into consideration this bill has been filed to respond in
institutionalizing a responsive program towards sustainable tourism that would protect our
tourists and strengthen our tourism industry. A similar bill has been filed in the 18" Congress
principally authored by Representative Ruffy Biazon that hurdled the committee level

In view of the foregoing, this representation seeks for approval

REYNANTE U>ARROGANCIA
Representative

Frict af Quezon

Reference: https://psa gov. ph/content/share-tourism-gdp-54-percent-2020


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Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

NINETEENTH CONGRESS
First Regular Session

House Bill No. 233

Introduced by Representative REYNANTE U. ARROGANCIA,

AN ACT
REQUIRING PERSONNEL OF TOURISM ORIENTED ORGANIZATIONS AND
ESTABLISHMENTS INCLUDING PERSONS PROVIDING TOURISM RELATED
SERVICES TO UNDERGO BASIC FIRST AID TRAINING
Be 1 enacted by the Senate and House of Kepresentatives of the Vhtlippines in Congress

assembled:

SECTION 1. Short Title. — This Act shall be known as the “Tourist Safety Act”

Sec. 2. Declaration of Policy. - The State recognizes tourism as instrumental to the

development of the national economy and an industry of national interest and significance.

‘Towards this end the State m and the safety of

the promotion of
tourists in the country by ensuring that the personnel in tourism-related services are equipped
with the skills and training to achieve these objectives

aT es” refers to services rendered to cater to the needs of tourists

ism-related servi

5

which include services provided by hotels, restaurants, travel agencies, tour operators, tourist
guide services, water recreational or sport activities, and all other entities providing similar or

related services,

Sec. 3. First Aid Training Requirement. - Personnel of tourism establishments,

“d

ns, and all other persons providing

‘ism-oriented orga

mandated to undergo basic first aid training provided by the Philippine Red Cross (PRC) or other

government accredited and reputable training institutions that shall issue appropriate training



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See. 4. First Aid Kits. — Ail tourism establishments, tourism-oriented organizations, and
all other persons providing tourism-related services shall be equipped with first aid kits.

Sec. 5. Role of Local Government Units (LGUs) - In order to ensure compliance with

blishments providing

1s of the Act, the concerned LGL

rrism

the prov
related services within their respective jurisdictions to submit a sworn statement attesting that the

current roster of personnel have undergone basic first aid training upon application for the

‘The LGUs shall conduct periodic inspection for the compliance of Section 4 of this Act.

The concerned LGUs shall register and maintain a roster of personnel of tourism-oriented

coordinate with the PRC or other accredited and reputable training institutions providing first aid

training for these personnel

Sec. 6. Implementing Rules and Regulations. — Within sixty (60) days from the
effectivity of this Act, The Department of Tourism, in coordination the Department of Interior

and Local Government and other governme:

regulations for the proper implementation of this Act.

Sec, 7. Separaility Clause ~ \f any provision of this Act shall he declared
unconstitutional or invalid, the other provisions not affected thereby shall remain in full force

and effect.

Sec. 8. Repealing Clause. — All laws, rules, regulations, executive orders, presidential
decrees and other issuances inconsistent with any of the provisions of this Act are hereby

deemed repealed or ame!



Sec. 9 Effectivity. - This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after its publication in

al Gazette or in a newspaper of ge

Approved,