Republic of the Philippines 
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES 
Quezon City, Metro Manila 
EIGHTEENTH CONGRESS 
Second Regular Session 
HOUSE BILL NO. _______________ 
Introduced by REP. PRINCESS RIHAN MANGUDADATU SAKALURAN 
EXPLANATORY NOTE 
This bill seeks to declare the Municipality of Columbio, Province of Sultan Kudarat as eco-
tourism zone. 
The Municipality of Columbio with its numerous scenic views of mountains and other 
natural wonders in almost 9 of its 16 barangays is one of the most sought after tourist destination 
in the Province of Sultan Kudarat. The municipality is renowned because of their various forest 
and nature parks, nature trails, river adventures, rock formations and ecological and hiking trails.  
hence, its declaration as eco-tourism zone is a right direction to enhance its tourism viability. 
To date, on its own, the tourist influx cannot be simply ignored thus, if declared as eco-
tourism zone and be equipped with services and facilities essential as a tourist destination the 
municipality can easily be developed into a top rate eco-tourism zone. After all, Section 2 of  
Republic Act 9593 states that “the State declares tourism as an indispensable element of the 
national economy and an industry of national interest and importance, which must be harnessed as 
an engine of socioeconomic growth and cultural affirmation to generate investment, foreign 
exchange and employment, and to continue to mold an enhanced sense of national pride for all 
Filipinos”. 
Verily, tourism offers a wide range of benefits not only to the host municipality but to the 
country as whole. Tourism boost the revenue of the economy, create jobs, develop infrastructure and 
improved the municipality’s image. 
Hence, the approval of this bill is earnestly sought. 
PRINCESS RIHAN MANGUDADATU SAKALURAN 
Representative 
1st District, Sultan Kudarat 
May 3, 2021
1:35 pm
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Republic of the Philippines 
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES 
Quezon City, Metro Manila 
EIGHTEENTH CONGRESS 
Second Regular Session 
HOUSE BILL NO. _______________ 
Introduced by REP. PRINCESS RIHAN MANGUDADATU SAKALURAN 
AN ACT DECLARING THE MUNICIPALITY OF COLUMBIO, 
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PROVINCE OF SULTAN KUDARAT, AN ECOTOURISM ZONE, AND 
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APPROPRIATING FUNDS THEREFORE. 
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Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives in Congress assembled: 
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SECTION 1.  This Act shall be known as “Columbio Ecotourism Zone Act” 
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SECTION 2.  Declaration of Policy-It is hereby declared the policy of the 
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State to promote a tourism industry that is ecologically sustainable, responsible, 
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participative, culturally-sensitive economically viable.  
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SECTION 3. The Municipality of Columbio, Province of Sultan Kudarat is 
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hereby declared an ecotourism zone. Its development shall be prioritized by the 
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Department of Tourism (DOT) and shall be subject to the rules and regulations 
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governing the development of ecotourism zones. 
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The DOT shall prepare the development plan for the Municipality of 
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Columbio and shall incorporate the same in the overall National Tourism 
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Development Plan (NTDP) , pursuant to Republic Act No. 9593, otherwise known 
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as “The Tourism Act of 2009”. The plan shall be implemented jointly with the 
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Municipality of Columbio, the Province of Sultan Kudarat, and the Tourism 
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Infrastructure and Enterprise Zone Authority (TIEZA). 
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The DOT, in coordination with the Municipality of Columbio, the Province 
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of Sultan Kudarat, the TIEZA and other concerned agencies of the government, 
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shall identify well-defined geographic areas within the Municipality of Columbio 
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ecotourism zone, which shall include the La Palmera Mountain Ridges, Asmakol 
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Water Park, Fetam Klego Underground River Park, Kolongled Bamboo Forest and 
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Nature Park, Kawing Forest Reserved and Nature Park, Columbio Eco-Tourism 
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Park, Mt. Alip Mountain Ranges Eco-Tourism Adventure Park, Sinalkuhan Trail 
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Adventure, Bittter Lion’s Eco Adventure Park, Columbio Circumferential Road 
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Trail, Mt. Bolol Lomot Forest Reserved, Bukay El Nature Trail, Abnahaw Eco-
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Park, Polomok Eco Adventure, Pangadilan River Adventure & Rock Formations, 
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Salnaong Cultural Tourism, Tacol Falls, Balaisan Eco Trail, Libertad Ecological 
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and Hiking Trail, Columbio Eco 360 Eco Trail and existing infrastructure and 
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facilities therein, and ensure the integrated development of these areas for the 
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optimum utilization of natural assets and attractions, as well as the preservation 
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of their historic significance. 
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SECTION 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 be included 
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in the annual General Appropriations Act and internally-generated funds of the 
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DOT. 
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SECTION 5.  Within (60)days after effectivity of this Act, the Secretary of 
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the DOT, in consultation with the Municipality of  Columbio, the Province of 
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Sultan Kudarat shall promulgate the necessary rules and regulations for the 
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proper implementation of this Act. 
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SECTION 6.  All laws, orders, decrees, rules and regulations and other 
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issuances, or parts thereof which are inconsistent with this Act are hereby 
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repealed or modified accordingly. 
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SECTION 7.  This Act shall take effect (15) days after its publication in the 
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official Gazette or in a newspaper of general circulation. 
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PRINCESS RIHAN MANGUDADATU SAKALURAN 
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Representative 
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1st District, Sultan Kudarat 
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