SIXTEENTH CONGRESS OF THE REPUBLIC 
OF THE PHILIPPINES 
Third Regular Session 
SENA);f,... 
S.B. No. i:: ~ 81 
Introduced by: Senator Paolo Benigno "Bam" A. Aquino IV 
'15 
OCT -5 P 4 :00 
AN ACT DECLARING THE PROVINCE OF BATANES AS A RESPONSIBLE, COMMUNITY-
BASED, CULTURAL HERITAGE AND ECOTOURISM ZONE 
EXPLANATORY NOTE 
As travelers journey across our archipelago, they find wondrous natural beauty 
and diverse indigenous cultures just waiting to be discovered. 
It is no wonder that the number of tourists entering the Philippines has 
increased to over 2.6 million in the first half of this year (2015) and is set to surpass the 
Department of Tourism's (DOT) target of 5 million by yearend. 
As we accommodate more foreign tourists and as more Filipinos decide to 
explore our own shores, it is imperative that we establish policies that seek to preserve 
our natural environment and foster our local, indigenous cultures, such as that of the 
Ivatans in Batanes. 
For the past 230 years, local residents have safeguarded the Batanes Heritage 
Area. But with the increasing popularity of the province as a tourist destination in the 
recent decade, it is high time that we provide it with the well-deserved support. 
Hence, the Batanes Responsible Tourism Act of 2015 endeavors to create a 
responsible, community-based eco-tourism zone to promote the rich Ivatan culture and 
the unique environment of the province. 
The DOT and the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) shall 
provide resources and programs that will promote and protect the heritage of the 
province. 
Furthermore, the measure aims to develop indigenous tourism products and 
programs that will generate sustainable employment and livelihood for the locals, 
together with the local government and other agencies. 
As we stay true on the path where every Filipino family experiences meaningful 
economic growth, let's ensure the development and preservation of the Ivatan heritage 
and the pristine beauty of Batanes with the Batanes Responsible Tourism Act of 2015. 
In view of the foregoing, the approval of this bill is earnestly sought. 
senatof;.;JZsenignO 'Bam" A. Aquino IV 


SIXTEENTH CONGRESS OF THE REPUBLIC 
OF THE PHILIPPINES 
Third Regular Session 
SENA~ 
S.B. No. 
~981 
Introduced by: Senator Paolo Benigno "Bam" A. Aquino IV 
'15 
OCT -5 P 4 :00 
AN ACT DECLARING THE PROVINCE OF BATANES AS A RESPONSIBLE, COMMUNITY-BASED, 
CULTURAL HERITAGE AND ECOTOURISM ZONE 
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the Philippines in Congress 
assembled: 
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SECTION 1. Title. - This Act shall be known as the "Batanes Responsible Tourism Act." 
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SEC. 2. Declaration of Policy. - The State recognizes, respects, and protects the rights of 
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indigenous cultural communities to preserve and develop their cultures, traditions, and 
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institutions and the State considers these rights in the formulation of national plans and 
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policies. The State is further mandated to promote a tourism industry that is ecologically 
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sustainable, responsible, participative, culturally sensitive, economically viable and equitable 
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for local communities. 
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Towards this end, the Province of Batanes shall be accorded priority development by 
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the Department of Tourism (DOT) as an eco-tourism zone and shall be subject to the rules and 
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regulations governing the development of tourism zones in promoting the following inherent 
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values and characteristics, which underlie the uniqueness of the Ivatan culture and the beauty 
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of the islands of Batanes in the development and management of the tourism industry in the 
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province: (1) the integrity of its ecology and environment; (2) the richness of its natural and 
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cultural heritage; and (3) the resilience of its indigenous social institutions. 
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SEC. 3. Objectives. -
Pursuant to the above declaration of policy, the State shall 
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endeavor to accomplish the following objectives: 
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(1) 
(2) 
(3) 
(4) 
Develop and promote responsible, community-based, ecological-cultural tourism 
as the core management strategy in the development and growth of Batanes; 
Ensure the conservation of the bio-diversity and the preservation of the unique 
heritage and culture of the province; 
Develop tourism products and programs that will generate employment and 
livelihood for the local residents consistent with the preservation and 
maintenance of local heritage and culture; 
Guarantee that the financial and economic benefits of the industry are equitably 
shared by and distributed among the Ivatans and local residents by giving 
preference to and support for community- and home-based tourism enterprises, 
i.e. micro and small businesses like local inns, lodges and homestays; restaurants, 
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(5) 
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food and fruit stands, arts and craft shops and similar tourists-oriented industries 
and businesses; 
Ensure that the quality of local tourism programs and activities are educational 
and enriching for tourists and visitors with the provision of orientation, 
educational and tour programs by local tour operators, Non Government 
Organizations (NGOs), Local Government Units (LGUs) and the DOT; 
Guarantee that in the development and promotion of the local tourism industry, 
the LGUs shall ensure that the needs of local residents and communities in the 
areas of water supply, food, energy and local construction materials are first 
secured and met. 
SEC. 4. Definition of Terms. - As used in this Act: 
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Biodiversity conservation refers to the practice of preserving the variety of 
species, habitats and ecosystems and genetic diversity of the place, including 
inter alia, terrestrial, marine and other aquatic ecosystems, and the ecological 
complexes of which they are a part of; 
Community-based Tourism refers to a form of tourism where the local 
community and its residents have substantial control over and involvement in 
the development and management of the local tourism industry and a greater 
proportion of the economic gains remain within the community; 
Cultural property refers to all products of human creativity by which a people 
and a nation reveal their identity, including churches, mosques and other 
religious worship, schools and natural history specimens and sites, whether 
public or privately owned, movable or immovable, and tangible or intangible; 
Ecotourism refers to a form of sustainable tourism within a natural and cultural 
heritage area where community participation, protection, and management of 
natural 
resources, 
cultural 
and 
indigenous 
knowledge 
and 
practices, 
environmental education and ethics, as well as economic benefits are fostered 
and pursued for the enrichment of host communities and satisfaction of visitors; 
Homestay refers to a system of tourist accommodation where a tourist stays 
with local residents and experience the day-to-day life of Ivatans and their 
communities; 
Indigenous social institutions refer to the institutions that embody the unique 
community orientation and cooperation pervasive in the way of life of the 
Ivatans, who were compelled to depend on each other for common survival 
because of the province's remoteness and harsh environment. This includes the 
indigenous cooperative institutions in house construction, boat building and 
fishing, 
agricultural cultivation, 
wake and 
burial practices, 
and 
public 
infrastructure construction; 
Ivatan natural and cultural heritage refers to the landscapes, seascapes, historic 
places, sites and built environments of the province precisely delineated because 
of their outstanding value from the point of view of science, conservation, 
natural beauty, as well as biodiversity; and includes past and continuing cultural 
practices, knowledge and living experiences of the Ivatans, which are important 
foundations for the development of present and future generations; 
Landscapes refer to historic, cultural, symbolic, vistas, and sight corridors of 
cultural sites, inclusive of fixed/immovable structures and configuration of 
structures with established relationship with each other; 
Responsible Ecotourism refers to a form of sustainable tourism in which both the 
tourism sector and tourists take responsibility to protect, respect, and conserve 
the natural environment and the local culture and ways of life; and where 
community participation as well as economic benefits are fostered and pursued 
for the well-being of the local people and satisfaction of visitors; and 
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Sustainable tourism development refers to the management of all resources in a 
way that simultaneously meets the needs of tourists and host regions, protects 
the opportunities for the future, fulfills the economic, social, and aesthetic 
needs, and preserves cultural integrity, essential ecological processes, biological 
diversity and a system that supports and perpetuates life. 
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SEC. S. Scope and Caverage. - This Act shall cover the same boundaries as provided in 
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Section 3 of Republic Act No. 8991, otherwise known as the "Batanes Protected Area of 2000". 
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SEC. 6. Provincial Tourism Development Plan. - The Department of Tourism (DOT), in 
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coordination with the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR), the National 
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Commission on Indigenous Peoples (NClP), and the National Commission for Culture and the 
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Arts (NCCA), shall assist the Province of Batanes in the formulation of the Provincial Tourism 
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Development Plan that shall be complemented by a set of guidelines and standards for a 
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responsible, community-based ecotourism. The tourism development plan shall ensure the 
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preservation of the natural sites, the cultural and historic significance of the identified tourist 
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attractions, and respect for Ivatan culture and traditions and will include the following 
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components: 
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1) Carrying capacity of sites; 
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2) Specific site assessments; 
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3) Identification of strategic priorities; 
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4) Product development for local wealth generation; 
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5) Capacity-building for locals in managing economically viable responsible community-
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based ecotourism business enterprises; 
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6) Support for the formation of local production groups and networks, including 
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marketing and pricing; 
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7) Marketing strategies that reflect the natural, cultural, social and environmental 
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integrity of Batanes. 
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The process of developing the Tourism Master Plan must be participatory, from the 
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bottom up, with the framework provided by DOT, DENR, NCIP, and NCCA, in consultation with 
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the Provincial and Municipal Governments. 
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SEC. 7. Formulation of Guidelines and Standards. - The Protected Area Management 
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Board ofthe DENR, the NCIP, and the local tourism council, in coordination with the LGUs, shall 
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assist in the formulation of local tourism standards in the context of environmental stability and 
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recommend guidelines to ensure that biodiversity conservation and environmental protection 
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are integrated in the development of heritage and ecotourism plans. 
The guidelines and 
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standards shall: 
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1) Raise the capacity of all stakeholders and ensure that best practice is followed; 
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2) Ensure optimal use of water and energy; 
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3) Reduce waste and pollution with encouragement given to recycling and 
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environmentally sound waste management disposal schemes, with a principle of 
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taking as much waste away from the site as possible; and 
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4) Encourage the use of local produce and services, and to favor the employment of 
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local people. 
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SEC. 8. Coordination with National Agencies. - The DOT shall closely coordinate with 
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the provincial and municipal governments of the Province of Batanes, as well as with the 
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regional and provincial offices of all relevant national government agencies, such as the 
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National Historical Commission, National Museum, Department of Labor and Employment, 
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National Commission for Culture and the Arts, National Commission on Indigenous People, 
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Department 
of Public 
Works 
and 
Highways, 
Department 
of Transportation 
and 
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Communications, Department of Agriculture, Department of Environment and Natural 
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Resources, Department of Science and Technology, Department of Education, Department of 
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Trade and Industry, Department of Interior and Local Government, Philippine National Police, 
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Maritime Industry Authority, and Philippine Ports Authority in the implementation of this Act. 
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SEC. 9. Implementing Rules and Regulations. -
The DOT, DENR, and NCIP, in 
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consultation with the Provincial and Municipal Governments of Batanes, concerned 
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government agencies and stakeholders, shall, within sixty (60) days from effectivity of this Act, 
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promulgate the necessary rules and regulations for the proper implementation of this Act. 
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SEC. 10. Separability Clause. -
If any provision of this Act is declared invalid, the 
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remainder or any of this provision hereof not affected thereby shall remain in force and effect. 
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SEC. 11. Repealing Clause. - All laws, decrees, executive orders, presidential issuances 
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and other administrative rules and regulations or parts thereof which are inconsistent with this 
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Act are hereby repealed, amended or modified accordingly. 
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SEC. 12. Effectivity. - This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after its publication in at 
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least two (2) national newspapers of general circulation. 
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Approved, 
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