FOURTEENTH CONGRESS OF THE 
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES 
First Regular Session 
INTRODUCED BY HON. MANNY VILLAR 
EXPLANATORY NOTE 
Our country's archipelagic character has endowed us with a wide array of tourism 
attractions ranging from majestic volcanoes, lush tropical forests, breath-taking 
waterfalls, magnificent seascapes, spectacular coral reef formations, and many other 
rare attractions endemic only in the Philippines. 
This, however; should not blind us from the alarming state of degradation of our 
environment and our people's cultural traditions. Side by side with tourism growth, our 
forests are being denuded at the rate of 25 hectares per hour. Only an estimated 
119,000 has. of our country's mangrove forests remain. Of the 423 rivers being 
monitored by the government, about half are already polluted, 40 of which are declared 
biologically dead. Erosion of the cultural traditions go unabated as more members of our 
indigenous cultural communities are tempted into cultivating marijuana in their ancestral 
lands for livelihood. 
The great irony of having tourism growth rate but getting as well a damaged 
environment is a major problem that this measure seeks to address. The bill proposes 
an ecotourism policy that would lay down a tourism framework based on a well-crafted 
balance between economic growth and environmental protection. It creates a National 
Ecotourism Commission which shall formulate and implement an Ecotourism 
Masterplan with the assistance of the Department of Tourism and the Department of 
Environment and Natural Resources. 
Given importance in this measure is the role of the local communities including 
the indigenous cultural communities as stewards of the environment in their respective 
localities. By doing so, it is hoped that they shall also benefit from the profits generated 
from ecotourism activities. 
The richness of our resources could only be optimally utilized if they are best 
protected. Tourism would yield the most profits if it ensures the primary of the 
environment and the preservation of the culture of our people. It is but time that we 
reorient our tourism goals to a low-impact and sustainable type of tourism before 
nothing else would be left to us. 
Approval of the bill is therefore earnestly sought. 
MANNYVIL AR 


FOURTEENTH CONGRESS OF THE 
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES 
First Regular Session 
Senate Bill No. 991 
I 
INTRODUCED BY HON. MANNY VILLAR 
AN ACT PROVIDING FOR A NATIONAL ECOTOURISM POLICY, ESTABLISHING A 
FRAMEWORK FOR ITS INSTITUTIONALIZATION, CREATING MECHANISM FOR 
ITS IMPLEMENTATION AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES 
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of Philippines in 
Congress assembled: 
SECTION I. Short Title. - This Act shall be known as the “National Ecotourism 
Policy Act.” 
SEC. 2. Declaration of Policy. - It is declared the policy of the State to: 
a. Ensure the right of the people to a balanced and healthful ecology through the 
promotion of activities geared towards environmental protection and conservation; 
b. Establish a framework for the utilization of natural sites for tourism purposes 
ensuring a balance between’ economic development and resource enhancement; 
c. Encourage non-government organizations, people’s organizations and the 
private sector to take the lead in initiating programs for tourism development and 
environmental protection; and 
d. Enlist the participation of local communities including the indigenous peoples by 
providing them the necessary assistance in the determination of ecotourism sites and 
ensuring their right to the full enjoyment of the benefits thereof; 
SEC. 3. Network of Ecotourism Sites. - There are hereby identified areas which 
shall comprise the network of ecotourism sites established under this Act. The sites 
shall include, but not be limited to, areas within the Integrated Protected Areas System 
as identified under Republic Act No. 7586, and; other areas with significant and relevant 
cultural heritage to be identified by the Commission; hereinafter created. 
SEC. 4. National Ecotourism Commission, - There is hereby created a National 
Ecotourism Commission to be composed .of one representative each from accredited 
non-government organizations and people’s organizations engaged in ecotourism, one 
recognized indigenous people’s federation, reputable travel organizations, the academe 
and the organization representing the local government chief executives. 


The Commission shall be headed by a Chairman who must have a minimum of 
seven (7) years of experience in ecotourism activities and environmental protection. 
The Chairman and t e members of the Commission shall be appointed by the President 
or a term of a five (5) years, renewable for one term. 
The Department of Tourism and (DOT) the Department of Environment and 
Natural Resources (DENR) shall assist the Commission in its task of pursuing the 
objectives established in this Act. 
SEC. 5. Functions and Responsibilities of the Commission The Commission shall 
be responsible for the following: 
a. Review and, from time to time, update the existing Ecotourism Masterplan and 
supervise the implementation of the corresponding programs and activities therein; 
b. Assess and evaluate the potential impact of development to the environmental 
integrity of areas to be included in the Network of Ecotourism Sites through the conduct 
of Environmental Impact Assessments under Presidential Decree No. 1586 and its 
implementing rules and regulations; 
c. Conduct consultations with the local population to be affected by ecotourism 
development to integrate their cultural values and beliefs in ecotourism plans and 
programs which may be formulated through their own initiative; 
d. Provide technical and financial assistance to communities which are included in 
the network of ecotourism sites established under this Act; 
e. Formulate rules and regulations which shall prohibit poaching activities, 
collection of wildlife species and the purchase of authentic cultural and anthropological 
possessions and artifacts and other activities which unnecessarily utilize forest and 
aquatic resources in identified ecotourism sites; and 
f. Perform such other activities as may be necessary to carry out the objectives of 
this Act. 
SEC. 6. Role of Local Communities. - The local communities as well as the 
indigenous communities to be affected by the development of ecotourism sites shall 
actively participate in the formulation of ecotourism plans with the assistance of the 
Commission. They. may declare their own localities as part or included in the network of 
ecotourism sites. 
The local communities shall directly receive the proceeds of ecotourism activities 
in their respective areas as well as the preference in the employment opportunities that 
will be generated therefrom; Provided, that the local communities shall set aside a 
portion of the aforementioned proceeds sufficient to provide for the protection and 
conservation of the environment in the ecotourism site. 
SEC. 7. Codes of Ecotourism Practice and Ethics. - The Commission shall 
formulate a Code of Ecotourism Practice and Ethics six (6) months after the approval of 
this Act, after a series of consultations with the concerned and affected sectors of the 
tourism industry as well as the affected communities and indigenous peoples. 
SEC. 8. Ecotourism Fund. - To carry out the purposes of this Act, there shall be 
created a-special fund called the Ecotourism Fund which shall be sourced from at least 
twenty percent (20%) of the gross receipts of the Travel Tax of the 'preceding year and 
such other sources or savings as the government may deem appropriate. 
SEC. 9. Appropriations. - Such amount as may be necessary to defray the 
expenses of the Commission in the implementation of this Act shall be appropriated in 


the current General Appropriations Act. Thereafter, the amount shall be regularly 
sourced from the General Appropriations Act. 
SEC. 
10. 
Separability Clause. - 
If any portion of this Act is declared 
unconstitutional or invalid, any provision not affected thereby shall remain in full force 
and effect. 
Approved,