RepublicoftLePhilippines
HOUSE 0F REPRESENTATIVES
Quezon City, Metro Manila
NINETEENTH CONGRESS
Second Regular Session
¥        HouseBillNo.9082
Introduced by Representative Midy N. Cua
Lone District, Quirino
AN ACT DECLARING THE MUNICITALITY OF DIFFUN,
PROVINCH OF QUIRINO, A TOURISM DEVELOPMENT AREA
HXPLANATORY NOTE
The province of Quirino is mostly known for its agricultural industry, being the leading producer of
banana in the Cagayan Valley region. However, what many do not know about the province is that it
also has much to offer in terms of environmental tourism sites.
The province as once dubbed the "Forest Heartland of Cagayan".  This is because of the province's
waterfalls,   rock  formations,   rivers,   whitewater  rapids,   and  caves.   The   municipality   of  Diffun
specifically is  home to the Nagbukel  Cavesmark,  Ganano Falls,  Sinipit Falls,  Sabangaran Falls, Nantugaw
Falls, Bagnes Nature Park, Simimbaan Caves, Simmaming Caves, Usok Caves, Eagle's Beak/Timmukak Rock
Formation,    Batumbaket   Rock   Tower,   Upper   Batumbaket   Waterfalls,    Lower   Batumbcket   Waterfalls,
Batumbaket   Caves,   Susong   Dalaga,   Manuela   Falls,   Pusuac   Spring,   Abbig  Falls,   Liwayway   Cave,   and
Amugawen Underground Creek.
Thus, there is a need to ensure protection of these environmental sites while also making the most out
of them through sustainable, responsible, and productive tourism.
In view of the foregoing, approval of this measure is earnestly sought.
Lone District, Quirino


RepublicoftL-ephilippines
HOUSE 0F REPRESENTATIVES
Quezon City, Metro Manila
NINHTHENTH CONGRESS
Second Regular Session
"      HouseBi||No.9082
Introduced by Representative Midy N. Cua
Lone D.Lslrict, Quirino
AN ACT DECLARING THE MUNICIPALITY OF DIFFUN,
PROVINCH OF QUIRINO, A TOURISM DEVELOPMENT ARF]A
Be it enacted by the Senate and House Of Representatives Of the Philippines in Congress assembled:
1        SECTION  1. A4letj".cjz7cz/7.ty o/Dj+Jit# as  ro#ris7„ Deve/ap"e#/.4rea.  -The  Municipality of Diffun,
2       Province  of Quirino,  is  hereby  declared  a  tourism  development  area  (TDA).  The  following  areas
3       within the municipality which  are endowed with scenic natural resources and historical  significance
4        shall be included in the Dirfun TDA and shall be developed as tourism destinations:
5
(a)   Nagbukel Cavesffark;
(b)   Ganano Falls;
6
(c)   Sinipit Falls;
7
(d)   Sabangaran Falls;
8
(e)   Nantugaw Falls;
9
(f)   Bagnes Nature park;
10
(g)   Simimbaan caves;
11
(h)   Simmarming caves;
12
(i)    Usok caves;
13
a)   Eagle's Beak/Timmukak Rock Formation;
14
0[)   Batumbaket Rock Tower;
15
(I)   Upper Batunbaket waterfalls;
16
(in) Lower Batumbaket Waterfalls;
17
(n)   Batumbaket caves;
18
(o)   Susong Dalaga;
2


1
2
3
4
5
6
7
®)   Manuela Falls;
(q)   Pusuac Spring;
(r)   Abbig Falls;
(s)   Liwayway cave; and
(t)   Amugawen underground creek.
Pursuant  thereto,  the  development  of these  areas  shall  be  prioritized  and  supported  by  the
8       Department  of Tourism  (DOT),  subject to  the  rules  and  regulations  governing the  development  of
9       tourism destinations.
10
11        SEC. 2. roctrz.sin Dei;e/ap"e#r p/cz#. -Within one (1) year after the approval of this Act, the municipal
12       government of Dirfun shall,  in coordination with the DOT, Department of Environment and Natural
13
14
15
16
17
18
19
20
Resources (DENR), the Representative of the Lone District of Quirino and concerned agencies of the
government, prepare a tourism development plan that shall include the construction,  installation and
maintenance of such appropriate infrastructure and facilities to enhance tourism in the Municipality of
Diffun, particularly in identified areas for tourism development: Prow.dec7, That said development plan
shall  ensure  the  preservation  and  conservation  of the  natural  beauty  and  resources  of the  areas:
Provz.ded, givr/rfeGr, That the implementation of the tourism development plan shall  be  included in the
budget of the municipal government of Diffun.
21        SEC.  3.  Dj;#l"#  ro"7.is7#  Govcr#z.;cg  Boc77.d.  -The  Diffun  Tourism  Governing  Board,  hereinafter
22       referred to as the Board, is hereby created. It shall be composed of the following members:
23
24
25
26
27
28
29
30
31
32
33
34
35
36
37
38
39
(a)  Mayor of the Municipality of Diffun, as ex-officio Chairperson;
(b)  Secretary of the DOT, or a duly authorized representative;
(c)  Secretary of the DENR, or a duly-authorized representative;
(d)  Representative of the Lone District of Quirino, or a duly authorized representative;
(e)  Representative  from  an  accredited  non-govemmental  organization  whose  advocacy  is
environmental preservation;
a  Representative from the academe; and
(g)  Representative from the business sector.
The Board shall,  in coordination with the  DOT and concerned agencies  of the government,
40       promulgate rules and regulations to implement this Act; and shall, whenever necessary, amend, modify
41        or revise such mles and regulations to meet existing needs.
42
43                      The municipal government of Diffun shall provide a Secretariat for the Board including the
funding necessary to cover expenses for the performance of its official functions and activities.
46       SEC.  4.  Ro/e  o/ ffoe  Dor.   -  The  DOT  shall  assist  the  municipal  government  of Diffim  in  the
47        implementation of the tourism development plan by providing technical assistance in tourism capacity
48        building.  It  shall  also  include  the  Municipality  of  Diffun  in  its  national  and  regional  promotion
49       programs.
50
3


'1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
13
14
SEC.  5. 4ppraprjcrfro#s.  - The  funding for the  implementation of this Act shall be  included  in the
annual budget of the municipal  government of Diffun.  The DOT may augment such allocation with
intemally-generated fund s.
SEC. 6. Seporc}bj./zty C/cJase. -If any provision of this Act is held unconstitutional or invalid, all other
provisions not affected thereby shall remain valid.
SEC. 7. Repecr/j.#g C/cr"se. - All laws, decrees, executive orders, rules and regulations or parts thereof,
which are inconsistent with this Act, are hereby repealed, amended or modified accordingly.
SEC. 8. Ejorec/j.vrty. -This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after its publication  in the  a+ysci.c7/
Gazcffe or in a newspaper of general circulation.
Approved,
4