Republic of the Philippines 
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES 
Quezon City, Metro Manila 
NINETEENTH CONGRESS 
First Regular Session 
HOUSE BILL NO. _______ 
Introduced by HON. CHRISTOPHERSON “COCO” M. YAP 
EXPLANATORY NOTE 
The Twin Islands of San Pedro and San Pablo are two of Southern Leyte’s premier island 
tourism destinations. Their crystal-clear waters, white pebble beach, and rich marine 
ecosystem is only thirty (30) minutes away from the mainland making them attractive 
to tourist who are in for some quick island get-away. 
In the latest Census on Population and Housing by the Philippine Statistics Authority, 
the Municipality of Hinunangan has a population of twenty-nine thousand, one hundred 
forty-nine – with the Island of San Pablo having a population of 445 and the Island of 
San Pedro having 449.  
With agriculture and fisheries as these people’s primary source of income, development 
of Hinunangan’s tourism industry provided a significant boost in the local economy. 
The declaration of The Twin Island of San Pablo and San Pedro as eco-tourism zone 
would pave the way for its development into a premier community participatory and 
sustainable eco-tourism destination equipped with facilities and amenities that could 
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help them reach their full potential. More importantly, it would create more 
opportunities for local Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises and jobs for the labor 
force. 
 
*** 
 
Community participatory tourism programs with sustainability at its core spurred socio-
economic development in the tourism industry. Much of the gains of the local tourism 
initiatives has been rolled back by the COVID-19 pandemic forcing tourism related 
businesses cut their workforce or, worse, halt business operation. With the easing of 
travel restrictions, the tourism sector is poised for a comeback. 
 
In Southern Leyte, recovery of our tourism sector faced a major setback by the 
devastation brought by typhoon Odette which destroyed what little structure they had 
in place. Apart from that, it also caused lost wages and unemployment to those who 
relied on the tourism industry. 
 
This bill, along with all the other bills of a similar subject, from this representation, seeks 
to help jumpstart economic recovery in the Second District of Southern Leyte by 
providing institutional support from the national government to its tourism industry.  
 
In view of the foregoing, passage of this bill is earnestly sought. 
 
 
 
 
CHRISTOPHERSON “COCO” M. YAP 
Representative, Second District of Southern Leyte 
 
 


Republic of the Philippines 
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES 
Quezon City, Metro Manila 
NINETEENTH CONGRESS 
First Regular Session 
HOUSE BILL NO. _______ 
Introduced by HON. CHRISTOPHERSON “COCO” M. YAP 
AN ACT  
DECLARING THE TWIN ISLANDS OF SAN PEDRO AND SAN PABLO IN THE 
MUNICIPALITY OF HINUNANGAN, PROVINCE OF SOUTHERN LEYTE AN 
ECOTOURISM ZONE, PROVIDING FOR ITS DEVELOPMENT AND 
APPROPRIATING FUNDS THEREFOR 
Be it enacted by the Senate and the House of Representatives of the Philippines in 
Congress assembled: 
SECTION 1. 
The Twin Islands of San Pedro and San Pablo in the Municipality 
1 
of Hinunangan Province of Southern Leyte is hereby declared an 
2 
ecotourism zone. As such, its development shall be prioritized by 
3 
the Department of Tourism (DOT), subject to the rules and 
4 
regulations governing the development of ecotourism zones. 
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SEC. 2. 
Within one (1) year after the approval of this Act, the DOT, in 
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coordination with the concerned local government units and 
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agencies of the government, shall prepare a joint tourism 
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development plan for both islands involving the construction, 
10 
installation and maintenance of such appropriate facilities and 
11 
infrastructure as shall encourage tourism in the area: Provided, 
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That said development plan shall be environmentally sound, 
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community participatory, and ensure the preservation and 
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conservation of the natural beauty and resources of the area.  
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SEC. 3. 
The DOT shall take immediate steps to implement the development 
17 
plan that will suit the natural characteristics of the Twin Islands of 
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San Pedro and San Pablo, and shall incorporate the same in the 
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overall National Tourism Development Plan (NTDP), pursuant to 
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Republic Act No. 9593, otherwise known as “The Tourism Act of 
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2009.” It shall also include the Twin Islands of San Pedro and San 
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Pablo in all its national, regional, and local promotion programs. 
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SEC. 4. 
The Secretary of the DOT shall include in the Department’s 
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program the implementation of this Act, the funding of which shall 
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be included in the annual General Appropriations Act and from 
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internally generated funds of the DOT. 
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SEC. 5. 
Within sixty (60) days from effectivity of this Act, the Secretary of 
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the DOT shall promulgate the necessary rules and regulation for 
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the proper implementation of this Act. 
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SEC. 6. 
All laws, rules, regulations, proclamations, executive orders or 
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parts thereof inconsistent with this Act, are hereby amended 
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accordingly. 
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SEC. 7. 
This Act shall take effect 15 days after its publication in the Official 
38 
Gazette or in a newspaper of general circulation. 
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Approved,