EIGHTEENTH CONGRESS OF THE) 
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES ) 
Third Regular Session 
)
SENATE
S.B. No. 2447
Introduced by SENATOR IMEE R. MARCOS
E-F LED
November 9, 2021 ITT
date:
10:51 am
Noex
AN ACT DECLARING THE PINANDAGATAN FALLS LOCATED IN BARANGAY 
NEW TUBIGON, MUNICIPALITY OF SIBAGAT, PROVINCE OF AGUSAN DEL 
SUR, AN ECOTOURISM SITE, AND APPROPRIATING FUNDS THEREFOR
EXPLANATORY NOTE
Section 16 of Article II of the 1987 Philippine Constitution provides 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."
Ecotourism, according to Mr. Tugba Kiper's published work Role of Ecotourism in 
Sustainable Development, is a sub-component of the field of sustainable tourism, 
which involves visiting natural areas in order to learn, study, or carry out activities 
environmentally friendly and enables the economic and social development of local 
communities by providing the alternate source of livelihood to local community for 
sustainability.
Pinandagatan Falls is located in barangay New Tubigon, Sibagat, Agusan del Sur 
and serves as one of the tourist attractions of the province. Pinandagatan Falls is 
known to be untouched and has many tiers that immerse deep into its location. The 
undeniable scenic beauty of Pinandagatan Falls surely attracts tourists from all over 
the world.
This bill seeks to declare the Pinandagatan Falls located in Barangay New 
Tubigon, Municipality of Sibagat, Province of Agusan del Sur, an ecotourism site to 
minimize any negative impacts upon the natural and socio-cultural environment and 
to support the maintenance of the natural areas by generating benefits for the local 
community and providing alternative employment and income opportunities for the 
residents of the entire province.
In view of the foregoing, the expeditious passage of this bill is earnestly sought.
«/l. /iTfCuca/'
IMEE R. MARCOS


EIGHTEENTH CONGRESS OF THE) 
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES ) 
Third Regular Session 
)
SENATE
S.B. No. 2447
Introduced by SENATOR IMEE R. MARCOS
E-FILED
LM DATe. November 9, 2021 rrt
T tnp* 10:51 am
AN ACT DECLARING THE PINANDAGATAN FALLS LOCATED IN BARANGAY 
NEW TUBIGON, MUNICIPALITY OF SI BAG AT, PROVINCE OF AGUSAN DEL 
SUR, AN ECOTOURISM SITE, AND APPROPRIATING FUNDS THEREFOR
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the Philippines in 
Congress assembled:
1 
SECTION 1. The Pinandagatan Falls located in Barangay New Tubigon,
2 
Municipality of Sibagat, Province of Agusan del Sur, is hereby declared an ecotourism
3 
site. As such, its development shall be prioritized by the Department of Tourism (DOT),
4 
subject to the rules and regulations governing the development of ecotourism sites.
5 
SEC. 2. Within one (1) year after the approval of this Act, the DOT shall, in
6 
coordination with the Department of Environment and Natural Resources and
7 
concerned local government units and agencies of the government, prepare a tourism
8 
development plan that shall include the construction, installation and maintenance of
9 
such appropriate infrastructure and facilities in the area: Provided, That said
10 
development plan shall ensure the preservation and conservation of the natural beauty
11 
and resources of the area.
,2 
SEC. 3. The DOT and its concerned attached agencies shall take immediate steps
13 
to implement the development plan with due consideration to the natural
14 
characteristics of the Pinandagatan Falls, and shall incorporate the same in its tourism
15 
development program for the calendar year immediately succeeding the approval of
16 
this Act. It shall also include the Pinandagatan Falls in all its national, regional and
17 
local promotion programs.
18 
SEC. 4. The Secretary of the DOT shall include in the Department's program the
19 
implementation of this Act, the funding of which shall be included in the annual
20 
General Appropriations Act, and shall augment such allocation with internally
21 
generated funds of the Department.
22 
SEC. 5. Within sixty (60) days from the effectivity of this Act, the DOT shall, in
23 
consultation with the Tourism Infrastructure and Enterprise Zone Authority and


1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8 
9
concerned government agencies and stakeholders, promulgate the necessary rules 
and regulations for the proper implementation of this Act.
SEC. 6. If any provision of this Act shall be declared unconstitutional or invalid, 
the other provisions not affected thereby shall remain in full force and effect.
SEC. 7. All laws, rules, regulations, presidential decrees and other issuances 
inconsistent with any of the provisions of this Act are hereby deemed repealed or 
amended accordingly.
SEC. 8. This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after its publication in the 
Official Gazette or in a newspaper of general circulation.
Approved,