REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
QUEzoN aT¥
NINETEENTli CONGRESS
First Regular Session
HOusEB]L`Lirb.      6089
Introduced by
REPRESENTATIVE AITY. GERVILLE "JINKY BITRICS" R. LUISTRO
EXPLANATORY NOTE
The Verde Island Passage is a must-see-and-visit diving spot, not just
in the country, but the entire planet. It is referred to as ``The Center of the
Center of Marine Shore Fish Biodiversity of the World". The passage is the
strait that separates  the  Island  of rmndoro  from Luzon.  This  1.14-mi]]ion-
hectare strait is where over 500 species of reef building corals and a third of
the world's coral-reef fish reside.
The  dive  sites  are just half-an-hour to  an hour  away from  Anflao,
Mabini,  Batangas  and  from Mindoro.  It has been a favorite  destination of
tourists,  both  foreign  and  local,  who  are  marine  enthusiasts  and  diving
professionals.
The strait is, however, not just a tourist destination. It is also utilized as
the passageway for corrmercial travel from Batangas to Mindoro. And, as it is
rich in marine life, it is likewise the main source of hivelihood of local and
commercial fishermen.  These  economic  activities,  along  .wTh  irresponsible
tourism, may contribute to the degradation of the passage.
This bin seeks to declare the Verde Island Passage as an ecotourism
zone.  Its  development shall be  prioritized  by  the  Department  of Tourism
(DOT).  The  DOT shall prepare  and  incorporate  the  development plan for
Verde  Island  Passage  in  the  overall  National  Tourism  Development  Plan
qup).
The plan shall be implemented jointly with the concerned provincial
governments, the local Protected Area Management Board Q'AMB), and the
Tourism   Infrastructure   and   Enterprise   Zone   Authority   (THZA).   These


agencies shall identify wen-defined geographic areas within the Verde Island
Passage ecotourism zone and coordinate the integrated development of the
areas for the optimum utilization of natural assets and attractions, as wen as
existing  infrastructures  and  facilities.  The  development  sham  ensure  the
preservation of the biodiversity,  scenery,  and  historical significance  of the
identified tourist attractions.
With   this   bill,   we   would   promote   a   tourism   industry   that   is
ecologically     stable,     responsible,     participative,     culturally     sensitive,
economically viable, and equitably beneficial to local communities.


RepubHc of the Phihippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Quezon City
NINEEENTII CONGRESS
First Regular Session
Hous:Bill.fro.6089
Introduced by
REPRESENTATIVE ATTY. GERVILLE "]INKY BITRICS'' R. LUISTRO
AN   ACT   DECLARING   THE   VERDE   ISLAND   PASSAGE   IN   THE
PROVINCES      OF      BATANGAS,      MARINDUQUE,      OCCIDENTAL
MINDORO,    ORIENTAL    MINDORO,    AND    ROMBLON,    AS    AN
ECOTOURISM ZONE, APPROPRIATING FUNDS THEREFOR, AND FOR
OTHER PURPOSES
B^e  it  enacted  b.y.  t.he  Senate  and  House  Of  Representatives  of  the  Philippines  in
Congress assembled,
Section 1.  SJ!orf n.fzc.  -  This  Act shall be  known as  "Verde  Island
Passage Ecotourism Act"
Section 2. Decha#flffo" a/ PoJ€.c3/. - It is hereby declared the pohicy of
the State to promote a tourism industry that is ecologically stable, responsible,
participative,   culturally   sensitive,    economically   viable,   and   equitably
beneficial to local communities.
Section  3.  Decha#flffo#  fas  Ecofo#r!.sffl  Zone.  -     The  Verde  Island
Passage in the Provinces of Batangas, Occidental Mindoro, Oriental Mindoro,
Marinduque,  and  Romblon  is  hereby  declared  an  ecotourism  zone.  Its
development shall be prioritized by the Department of Tourism (DOT) and


shall be subject to the rules and regulations govering the development of
ecotourism zones.
The  DOT  sham  prepare  and  incorporate  the  development  plan  for
Verde  Island  Passage  in  the  overall  National  Tourism  Development  Plan
(NTDP),  pursuant  to  Republic  Act  No.  9593,  otherwise  known  as  ``The
Tourism  Act  of  2009".  The  plan  shall  be  implemented  jointly  with  the
Provincial Governments of Batangas, Occidental Mindoro, Oriental Mindoro,
Marinduque,  and  Romblon,  the  local  Protected  Area  Management  Board
¢AMB),  and  the  Tourism  Infrastructure  and  Enterprise  Zone  Authority
(TIEZA).
TheDOT,incoordinationwiththeProvincialGovermentsofBatangas,
Occidental  Mindoro,  Onental  Mindoro,  Marinduque,  and  Romblon;  the
PAMB; the TIEZA; and other concerned agencies and instrunentalities of the
government, sham identify wen-defined geographic areas within Verde Island
Passage ecotourism zone and coordinate the integrated development of the
areas for the optimum utilization of natural assets and attractions, as well as
existing  infrastructures  and  fachities;  Prouz.did,  that the  development  shall
ensure the preservation of the biodiversity, scenery and historical significance
of the identified tourist attractions.
Section 4. Ixpze#ce#fafroffl. - Within sixty (60) days after the effectivity
of this  Act,  the  Secretary  of Tourism,  in consultation  with the  Provincial
Governments    of    Batangas,    Occidental    Mindoro,    Oriental    Mindoro,
Marinduque,   and  Romblon;   the  PAMB,   the  TTEZA  and  other  tourism


stakeholders,  shall promulgate  the  necessa]::y'  rules  and  regulations  for the
proper inplementation of this Act.
Section 5. Appropr!.¢fror®s. - The Secretary of Tourism sham include in
the Departhent's program the implementation of this  Act, the funding of
which shall be included in the General Appropriations Act and intemany
generated funds of the DOT.
Section 6. Rapcoz¢.ng Cha#se. - All laws, executive orders, presidential
decrees, rules and regulations and other issuances contrary or inconsistent
withthisActshanbedeemedrepealedormodifiedaccordingly.
Section 7. £#ecf!.zJ!.tl/. - This Act shah take effect fifteen (15) days after
itspublicationintheOfficialGazetteorinanewspaperofgeneralcirculation.
Approved,