Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Quezon City, Metro Manila

EIGHTEENTH CONGRESS
First Regular Session

HOUSE BILL NO. 2651

INTRODUCED BY REP. JB BERNOS

EXPLANATORY NOTE

In line with the fifth item in President Rodrigo Roa Duterte’s 10-point socioeconomic agenda
for the country, which aims to “promote rural and value chain development toward increasing,
agricultural and rural enterprise productivity and rural tourism”, this Bill seeks to declare
Kaparkan Falls in the Municipality of Tineg, Province of Abra as an ecotourism site.

Kaparkan Falls is unlike any other falls found in the Philippines. The water flowing
into a terrain akin to the Rice Terraces of the Cordilleras gives it a very unusual yet majestic
form. Itis among the many natural wonders that Abra has to offer local and foreign tourists.
The soothing cool waters invites the visitors who had travelled a great distance just to see the
glorious wonder which had been featured in many television programs and in social media.

Kaparkan Falls as an ecotourism site is a communal asset that can be utilized to further
improve the local economy of the municipality. Diversifying the economy of Tineg, a second-
class municipality engaged in agriculture and agriculture-related businesses, by venturing
into tourism will greatly improve the livelihood of the people by starting their own micro-,

small-, and medium-scale enterprises related to the newfound tourism fame of the town.

To this end, the declaration of Kaparkan Falls as an ecotourism site will further local
economic development and will reaffirm our country’s position as a major tourist destination
in the world, In light of the said explanation, the immediate passage of this bill is earnestly
sought.



Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Quezon City, Metro Manila

EIGHTEENTH CONGRESS
First Regular Session

HOUSE BILLNO. 2651

INTRODUCED BY REP. JB BERNOS

AN ACT
DECLARING THE KAPARKAN FALLS IN BARANGAY CAGANAYAN,
MUNICIPALITY OF TINEG, PROVINCE OF ABRA AN ECOTOURISM SITE,
ESTABLISHING THE KAPARKAN FALLS DEVELOPMENT COUNCIL, AND
APPROPRIATING FUNDS THEREFOR

Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the Philippines in Congress
assembled:

Section 1. Short Title. This Act shall be known as the “Kaparkan Falls Ecotourism
Act”

Sec. 2. Declaration of Policy. Section 16, Article II of the 1987 Constitution
enunciates that the State shall protect and advance the right of the people to a balanced and
healthful ecology in accord with the rhythm and harmony of nature.

‘Towards this end, it shall be the policy of the State to promote an ecologically-
sustainable and culturally-sensitive tourism industry as a tool for socio-economic

development in the country, where its participants receive equitable benefits in accordance
to the development of the sector.

Sec. 3. Kaparkan Falls Ecotourism Site. Kaparkan Falls in Barangay
Caganayan, Municipality of Tineg, Province of Abra is hereby declared an ecotourism site,

and its development shall be prioritized by the Department of Tourism (DOT) and the


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20

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.

Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR), and shall be subject to the rules
and regulations governing the development of ecotourism sites.

Sec. 4. Technical Description of the Kaparkan Falls. The technical description

of the area encompassing the Kaparkan Falls and its immediate environs, being declared as
a tourist destination are as follows:

PARCEL I: Beginning at a point marked “1” on map, with Latitude 17°43'20.045”, Longitude

'3.406" situated in Barangay Caganayan, Municipality of Tineg, Province of Abra:

thence N 66°36'3” W 197.74 meters to corner 2;
thence N 42°0'47"" W 757.30 meters to corner 3;
thence S 85°16'40" W 779.17 meters to corner 4;
thence N12°10'7" W 286.49 meters to corner 5;
thence N77°23'41" W 643.61 meters to corner 6;
thence $8 67°44'4" W 718.40 meters to corner 7;
thence N24°40'5” E 422.70 meters to corner 8;
thence N 13°15'30" W 309.23 meters to corner 9;
thence N 13°15'39” W 796.43 meters to corner 10;
thence N66°47'45"W 487.84 meters to corner 11;
thence S 40°60" W 300.02 meters to corner 12;
thence N 67°42'56"W 377.03 meters to corner 13;
thence N 28°49'58"W 1372.40 _ meters to corner 14

thence N55°40'44"W 1405.10 meters to corner 15;


10

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12

18

19

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N 16°5'33” W
N37°22'38" E
N 47°56'7" W

N 47°566" W

N 43°56'28" W

N 40°47'23” E
Nq4vi7"W

N 33°46'57" E
N 88°56'9" E
N 44°36'46" E
$.59°49'30" E
N 24°39'42” E
S75°5'23" E
N 49°41'30" E
S 85°18'52” E
S$ 63°41'21" Ex

S47°44'2"E

S$ 38°22'14” W

8 77°4'26" W

802.84

1372.04

575-48

2987.39

3073.46

181.17

281.26

1109.68

661.69

667.95

35117

435-90

578.87

441.90

916.37

232.59

1515.21

254.05

69.41

meters to corner 16;
meters to corner 17;
meters to corner 18;
meters to corner 19;
meters to corner 20;
meters to corner 21;
meters to corner 22;
meters to corner 23;

meters to corner 24;

meters to corner

meters to corner 26;

meters to corner 27;

meters to corner 28;

meters to corner 29;

meters to corner 30;

meters to corner 31;

meters to corner 32;

meters to corner 33;

meters to corner 34;


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S 42°13'55" W
$.15°38'32” W
S 47°13'19" W
S 33°57'36" W
S59°52'5” E
N 43°13'58" E
N52°34'12” E
$.43°56'23" E
N 65°28'46" E
S$ 79°33'27" E
S$ 32°45'9" E
S$ 23°49'12" W
$.31°32'18" E
S 48°34'20" E
S72°34'53" E
S$ 39°6'26" E
S$. 37°6'50" W
S$ 0°22'3" E

$35°43'5" E

230.04

193.19

233-74

262.86

1447.06

747-38

338.69

632.71

612.02

719.87

288.29

360.89

403.22

1138.30

240.80

283.88

529.58

652.55

994.36

meters to corner 35;

meters to corner 36;

meters to corner 37;

meters to corner 38;

meters to corner 39;

meters to corner 40;

meters to corner 41;

meters to corner 42;

meters to corner 43;

meters to corner 44;

meters to corner 45;

meters to corner 46;

meters to corner 47;

meters to corner 48;

meters to corner 49;

meters to corner 50;

meters to corner 51;

meters to corner 52;

meters to corner 53;


18

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The point of beginning containing an area of 6,827 hectares, more or less.

$11°16'36" E

S 12°0'46” W

S 16°32'51" E

S 19°28’39” W

N 82°45'28" W

NN 39°34'10" W,

N74°22'15" W

N 80°8'28" W

$.19°23'4” W

$ 214712" W

S 63°20'54" E

S$ 13°68" E

S50°57'43” W

3157" E

S$ 3°21'33" W

S 20°20'36" E

S 6°56'41" E

S 32°45'50" W

400.83

966.56

688.54

619.13

628.25

358.96

288.19

28.50

47-33

52.25

203.07

164.61

622.29

783.24

801.22

781.26

689.00

425.67

meters to corner 54;

meters to corner 55;

meters to corner 56;

meters to corner 57;

meters to corner 58;

meters to corner 59;

meters to corner 60;

meters to corner 61;

meters to corner 62;

meters to corner 63;

meters to corner 64;

meters to corner 65;

meters to corner 66;

meters to corner 67;

meters to corner 68;

meters to corner 69;

meters to corner 70;

meters to corner 1.


PARCEL Il: Beginning at a point marked “1” on map, with Latitude 17°46°34.257”, Longitude

120°46'52.307” situated in Barangay Caganayan, Municipality of Tineg, Province of Abra:

thence

thence

thence

thence

thence

thence

thence

thence

thence

thence

thence

thence

N 47°52'37" W

N1°53'12” W

N 29°54'10" W

N 8°20°28" W

S 88°7'44" E

N53°31'33" E

S$ 19°16'52” E

S$ 114912” E

N 39°3'16" E

$2°4'4” W

$ 23°31'52” W

S$ 72°39°18" W

109.32

180.48

210.51

184.31

124.15

96.36

134.16

171.94

251.05

383.32

156.74

151.01

meters to corner 2;

meters to corner 3;

meters to corner 4;

meters to corner 5;

meters to corner 6;

meters to corner 7;

meters to corner 8;

meters to corner 9;

meters to corner 10;

meters to corner 11;

meters to corner 12;

meters to corner 1.

‘The point of beginning containing an area of seventeen (17) hectares, more or less.

Sec. 5. Kaparkan Falls Development Council. A multi-sectoral council to be known

as the “Kaparkan Falls Development Council” shall be created, whose term of office of

members shall be coterminous with the incumbent Municipal Mayor of Tineg. It shall be
composed of the following:

a. A representative from the Office of the Mayor of the Municipality of Tineg, as

Chairperson;

b. The Head of the Tineg Municipal Tourism Office;


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d.

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‘The Head of the Tineg Municipal Environment and Natural Resources Office;
A representative from the DOT;
A representative from the DENR;

‘Two (2) representatives from the indigenous peoples sector in the Municipality of
‘Tineg; and

.. Two (2) representatives from the private sector in the Province of Abra.

Sec. 6. Functions and Responsibilities of the Council. The Council shall have the
following functions:

- Formulation and implementation of the Kaparkan Falls Development Plan, in

consultation with the local residents, businesses, and other stakeholders;

. Assessment and evaluation of the potential impact of the development to the

environmental safety and well-being of the site, communities, and enterprises;

Provision of technical and financial assistance to the communities within the site;

. Formulation of rules and regulations in relation to the maintenance and security of the

ecotourism site; and,

Performance of other functions as may be necessary to carry out the objectives of this
Act.

Sec. 7. Annual Reports. Within sixty (60) days after the end of the fiscal year, the
implementing agency shall submit a report to both Houses of Congress with respect to the

operation of the ecotourism site. The report shall provide information on the total amount
expended during the fiscal year to carry out and achieve the purpose of this Act, including
amounts expended to publicize the availability of rewards.

Sec. 8. Appropriations. The Secretaries of the DOT and the DENR shall include in
their respective Department's program the implementation of this Act, the funding of which
shall be included in the annual General Appropriations Act and from internally generated
funds of the DOT.


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See. 9. Implementing Rules and Regulations. Within ninety (90) days from the
effectivity of this Act, the DOT, in coordination with the Municipality of Tineg, the DENR,
and the Tourism Infrastructure and Enterprise Zone Authority (TIEZA), shall promulgate the
rules and regulations necessary for the proper implementation of this Act.

The DOT shall be the agency which shall take care of planning, implementing,
coordinating, and monitoring the provisions of this Act.

Sec. 10. Separability Clause. If any provision of this Act is declared unconstitutional
or invalid, the other provisions not affected by such declaration shall remain in full force and
effect.

See. 11. Repealing Clause. Any law, decree, ordinance or administrative circular not

consistent with any provision of this Act is hereby amended, repealed or modified
accordingly.

Sec. 12. Effectivity Clause. This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after its complete
publication in the Official Gazette or in two (2) newspapers of, general circulation.

Approved,