Republic of the Philippines 
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES 
Quezon City, Metro Manila 
NINETEENTH CONGRESS 
Second Regular Session 
HOUSE BILL NO.  9286 
Introduced by HON. EDGAR M. CHATTO 
First District, Bohol 
EXPLANATORY NOTE 
This bill seeks the immediate completion of the construction of the International 
Cruise Ship Port in Catagbacan Norte, Loon, Province of Bohol through funding support 
from the government. Needless to say, the development and expansion of the 
Catagbacan Port as a Cruise Ship Port is envisioned to address the limited berthing 
space and shallow seabed of Tagbilaran Bay; thereby, expanding its capacity to 
accommodate more cruise ships, increasing tourist arrivals.  
Section 2 of RA 9593 provides 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 socio-economic 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.” 
The Catagbacan Port in the Municipality Loon, has been identified by the 
Philippine Ports Authority (PPA) for development as an International Cruise Port in 
view of its strategic location in relation to the ports in nearby island provinces and the 
Chocolate Hills of Bohol. It was also identified as a possible cargo port maintaining the 
Tagbilaran City Port solely as a tourist passenger port.  
PPA is presently undertaking the Phase 1 of the construction and development of 
the Catagbacan Port as an International Cruise Ship Port. The PPA and the Department 
of Tourism (DOT) through the Tourism Infrastructure and Enterprise Zone Authority 
(TIEZA), shall prioritize the early completion of said project by providing funds and by 
enhancing the present masterplan for the development of its infrastructure and 
appropriate facilities.  
Bohol continues to draw foreign tourists from across the globe from top-of-the-
line international luxury cruise ships. These include M/S Minerva, M/S Hanseatic, M/S 
Silver Shadow and M/S Europa which docked, on several occasions, in Bohol for the 
past five years, each bringing hundreds of foreign visitors to savor Bohol’s tourist spots. 
M/S Europa 2, an international cruise ship of Europe-based Hapag-Lloyd Cruises, a 
subsidiary of Hapag Lloyd AG, the world’s fifth largest container carrier in terms of 
vessel capacity. A couple or more cruise ships are expected to have Tagbilaran as their 
September 22, 2023
3:53 pm


port of call in the coming months. The visitors take at least four tour circuits Bohol is 
known for: Tagbilaran-Baclayon-Loboc-Chocolate Hills. 
 
According to the Department of Tourism (DOT), sea tourist arrivals, mostly via 
cruises, rose to 52,820 passengers in 2014 from 41,624 in 2013 and 23,857 in 2012. 
Cruise tourism is one of the strategic tourism products identified under DOT’s National 
Tourism Development Plan.  
 
The establishment of an international cruise ship port in Catagbacan Norte would 
accommodate more international cruise ships traveling around the Asia-Pacific Region, 
making Bohol more competitive as a world-class tourism hub and creating a favorable 
image of the Philippines within the international community, thereby strengthening the 
country’s attraction as a tourism destination and eventually paving the way for other 
benefits that may result from a positive global view of the country.  
 
Taking into account the points raised, immediate passage of this bill is earnestly 
sought.  
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
REP. EDGAR M. CHATTO 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 


 Republic of the Philippines 
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES 
Quezon City, Metro Manila 
NINETEENTH CONGRESS 
Second Regular Session 
HOUSE BILL NO. ________ 
Introduced by HON. EDGAR M. CHATTO 
First District, Bohol 
“AN ACT  
ESTABLISHING AN INTERNATIONAL CRUISE SHIP PORT 
AND APPROPRIATE FACILITIES IN CATAGBACAN, LOON, 
PROVINCE OF BOHOL” 
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 “An Act Establishing An 
International Cruise Ship Port in Catagbacan Norte, Loon, Bohol.” 
SECTION 2. Declaration of Policy. – It is the policy of the State to foster and 
promote sustainable tourism throughout the country. Being one of the country’s leading 
destinations when it comes to cruise-ship tourism, Bohol shall be accorded priority 
development by the Philippine Ports Authority (PPA) and the Department of Tourism 
(DOT).  
SECTION 
3. 
Construction, 
Installation 
and 
Maintenance 
of 
Infrastructure and Facilities. – The PPA, the DOT, in coordination with the 
Tourism Infrastructure and Enterprise Zone Authority (TIEZA) and other concerned 
government agencies, shall give construction priority to Catagbacan International 
Cruise Ship Port project for its immediate completion. It shall enhance the project’s 
current master plan including the plans and designs for the accompanying 
infrastructure and facilities to cater to new generation of wide-bodied, state-of-the-art 
luxury cruise ships and to enhance the cruise-ship industry in the province of Bohol.  
SECTION 4. Implementing Rules and Regulations. – The DOT shall 
promulgate the necessary rules and regulations relevant to the construction and 
maintenance of the international cruise ship port in Catagbacan Norte.  
SECTION 5. Appropriations. – The PPA and the DOT shall include in their 
respective Department’s program the implementation of this Act, the funding of which 
shall be included in their respective annual budgets for the immediate completion of the 
international cruise ship port in Catagbacan, Loon, Bohol.  
9286


SECTION 6. Separability Clause. – If any provision of this Act shall be held 
unconstitutional, any other provisions not otherwise affected  shall remain in full force 
and effect.  
 
SECTION 7. Repealing Clause. – All laws, executive orders, rules and 
regulations, or parts thereof inconsistent with the provisions of this Act are hereby 
amended, repealed or modified accordingly.  
 
SECTION 8. Effectivity. – This Act shall take effect after its complete 
publication in at least two (2) newspapers of general circulation. 
 
 
Approved,