Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVE
Quezon City, Metro Manila
19th Congress
First Regular Session
HOusE B]L`[:`ri6.     5950
Introduced by Rep. MARIA VANESSA C. AUMENTADO
EXPLANATORY NOTE
This bill seeks to declare the Bien Unido Double Barrier Reef of
Bien Unido, Bohol as a tourist destination.
Among others, Bohol is known for its dive  spots  and teeming
marine  biodiversity.    The  province  has  the  famous  Danajon  Reef
wherein  the  Bien  Unido  Double  Barrier  Reef  is  a  part  of.    The
Danajon Reef is a very rare geological formation and the only double
barier reef in the Philippines. It comprises of two (2)  sets of large
coral  reef  that  formed  offshore  on  a  submarine  ridge  due  to  a
combination of a favorable tidal currents and coral growth in the area.
Danajon Reef's unique geological double barrier reef formation and
high marine biodiversity has great potential for ecotourism;  it is the
only double barrier reef for the entire Indo-Pacific region and only six
(6) double barrier reefs in the world.
In  2010   the   Municipality  of  Bien  Unido   installed  a  giant
underwater grotto shrine in its double barrier reef dive site, which is
part  of  the  Danajon  Reef.   Underwater  grotto,   like   one   in  the
Mediterranean island of Malta, has been one of the top diving sites
around the world wherein divers can pray and meditate while being


immersed into the amazing underwater world and given a moment of
deeper reflection than those normally experienced.
The  declaration  of  Bien  Unido  Double  Barrier  Reef  as  an
ecotourism  site  will  enhance  tourism  development  and  promotion
program.    It   will    generate   potential   global    attraction   because
underwater  lovers  and  diving  enthusiasts  need  not  go  to  Malta
anymore   for   that   underwater   grotto   exploration   can   also   be
experienced in the Bien Unido Double Barrier Reef in Bohol.
The bill also aims to help the Local Government of Bien Unido
to promote its tourism industry and to generate higher income for the
LGU. Likewise, it also aims at conserving and preserving the natural
marine  resources  and  geological  significance  of  the  Bien  Unido
Double Barrier Reef as part of the Danajon Reef.
In  view  of the  foregoing,  the  passage  of this  bill  is  earnestly
sought.
iizH
MARIA VANE
C. AUMENTADO
Representative
Bohol, Second [2nd] District


Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Quezon City, Metro Manila
19th Congress
First Regular Session
HoUSEBILLNO.    5950
Introduced by Rep. MARIA VANESSA C. AUMENTADO
AN ACT
DECIARING THE IMMHDIATE UNDERWATER ENVIRONS OF THE
BIEN uNmo DOuBLE BAREIER REEF IN TILE MUNlcITALITy OF BIEN
UNIDO, PROVINCH OF BOHOL, A TOURIST I)HSTINATION, AND
APPROPRIATING FUNDS THEREFOR
Be h enacted b)I the Set.ate and the IIouse Of Represeniatines Of the Phth|I|iines i,n
Cor.gross assembled..
SECTION I.  The immediate underwater environs of the Bien Unido Double
Barrier Reef located in the Municipality of Bien Unido, Province of Bohol is
hereby  declared  a  tourism  destination.  As  such,  the  development  of the
immediate underwater  environs  shall be  prioritized I]y the  Department  of
Tourism  (DOT),  in  coordination  with  the  municipal  government  of Bien
Unido  and  other  concerned  agencies,  subject  to  the  rules  and  regulations
governing the development of tourism destinations.
SECTION 2.   Within one (I) year after the approval of this Act, the DOT
shall,  in  coordination  with  the  Department  of Environment  and  Natural
Resources  (DENR),  the  municipal  government  of  Bien  Unido  and  other
concerned agencies of the government, prepare a tourism development plan
that  shall  include  the  construction,  installation  and  maintenance  of such
appropriate facilities and infrastructures   to improve the overall features of
the  immediate  underwater  environs    surrounding  the  Bien  Unido  double
barrier reef, thereby ensuring the accessibility and security of the tourists:
Provided,  That  said  development  plan  shall  ensure  the  preservation  and
conservation of the marine life and underwater geological significance of the
area.


SECTION 3.  The DOT and its concerned agencies shall take immediate steps
to implement the tourism development plan for the immediate underwater
environs of the Bien Unido double barrier reef and shall incorporate the same
in   tourism   development   program   for   the   calendar   year   immediately
succeeding the approval of this Act.
SECTION 4.   The Secretary of the DOT and the DENR 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  shall
augment such allocation with intemauy generated funds of the Department.
SECTION 5.  Within sixty (60) days from the effectivity of this Act, the DOT
shall, in consultation with the municipal government of Bien Unido, Bohol
promulgate    the    necessary    rules    and    regulations    for    the    proper
implementation of this Act.
SECTION 6.  This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after its publication
in the OJj7rfchaJ Gaze£€e or in a newspaper of general circulation.
Approved.