FOURTEENTH CONGRESS OF THE REPUBLIC 
) 
OF THE PHILIPPINES 
1 
JjL -4 F3 :os 
First Regular Session 
1 
Introduced by Senator Loren Legarda 
EXPLANATORY NOTE 
This bill declares the province of Palawan as the ecological tourism capital of the 
Philippines with the corresponding government support and grant of autonomy. 
The concept of ecological tourism is consistent with the State’s policy on the right 
of the people to a balanced and healthful ecology. 
Section 16, Article I1 of the 1987 Philippine Constitution states 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. In the 1993 landmark case of Oposa vs. 
Factoran, the Supreme Court ruled that the right to a balanced and healthful ecology 
carries with it the correlative duty to refrain from impairing the environment. 
Ecotourism focuses, on Iocal culture, wilderness adventures, volunteering, 
personal growth, and learning new ways to live on the planet; typically involving travel 
to destinations where flora, fauna, and cultural heritage are the primary attractions. 
Responsible ecotourism includes programs that minimize the negative aspects of 
conventional tourism on the environment, and enhance the cultural integrity of local 
people. Therefore, in addition to evaluating environmental and cultural factors, an 
integral part of ecotourism is in the promotion of recycling, energy efficiency, water 
conservation, and creation of economic opportunities fo: the local communities 
Palawan is the biggest province in the Philippines and is composed of 1,768 
islands and islets. The island-province first attracted foreign attention in the 1970’s 
when it became a United Nations Vietnamese Refugee Center. 
Puerto-Princesa 
Subterranean River National Park is Palawan’s most popular attraction and covers 5,349 
hectares of lush forest, dark mountains, caves and white beaches. The Park is inscribed 
in the prestigious list of United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural 
Organization (UNESCO) World Heritage. 
Ecology awareness is at a high level throughout the province. Puerto Princesa 
prides itself as the cleanest city in the Philippines. To protect its mega-diversity, only 
eco-friendly programs are adhered to by tourist establishments. And there are strict 
ordinances against dynamite fishing, with only net and line fishing allowed. Palawan 
may have opened itself to tourism but it has also taken serious efforts to preserve this 
last frontier. 
This proposed measure seeks to provide the necessary support to such efforts of 
the province of Palawan by declaring it the ecological tourism capital of the Philippines. 


By this, there shall be created an Ecological Tourism Office whose governing 
board shall be co-chaired by Representatives of the legislative districts of the province 
and the Governor of Palawan. The membership of the board shall be composed of 
representatives from the Palawan Council for Sustainable Development (PCSD), the 
Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR), the Department of 
Tourism (DOT), the private sector, the non-governmental organization, and the local 
government units. This Office shall rationalize all efforts pertaining to environmental 
protection and making the tourism industry a major source of livelihood and an avenue 
for the generation of employment. 
In view of the foregoing, immediate passage of this bill is earnestly requested. 
Senator 


7 
FOURTEENTH CONGRESS OF THE REPUBLIC 
) 
OF THE PHILIPPINES 
) 
First Regular Session 
) 
Introduced by Senator Loren Legarda 
AN ACT 
DECLARING THE PROVINCE OF I'ALAWAN AS THE ECOLOGICAL TOURISM 
CAPITAL OF THE PHILIPPINES AND OTHER PURPOSES 
Be it enacted by the Senate and the House of Representatives of the Philippines in 
Congress assembled: 
SECTION 1. Title. This Act shall be known as "An Act Declaring the Province of 
Palawan as the Ecological Tourism Capital of the Philippines." 
Sec. 2. Declaration ofPolicy. It is hereby declared the policy of the State to promote 
a sustainable tourism industry. Towards this end, the country shall rationalize all efforts 
pertaining to environmental protection and making the industry a major source of 
livelihood and an avenue for the generation of employment. Henceforth, aggressive 
measures seeking to restore the country's share in the Asian tourist market shall be 
consistent with the preservation of the existing ecosystem and natural environment. 
Sec. 3. Ecological Totivism Capital of the Philippines. Pursuant to the public policy, 
the Province of Palawan, including the city of Puerto Princesa, is hereby declared an 
eco-tourism zone and shall be called the Eco-Tourism Capital of the Philippines. 
Sec. 4. Creation of an Eco-Tourism Ofice. Within a year from the approval of this 
Act, there shall be created an Eco-Tourism Office whose governing board shall be co- 
chaired by Representatives of the legislative districts of the province and the Governor 
of Palawan. The membership of the board shall be composed of representatives from 
the Falawan Council for Sustainable Development (PCSD), the Department of 
Environment and Natural Resources (DENR), the Department of Tourism (DOT), the 
private sector, the non-governmental organization, and the local government units. 
Sec 5. Implementing Rules and Regulations. The PCSD, DENR and DOT shall 
prepare an eco-tourism master plan and promulgate the necessary rules and regulations 
to be approved by the President'of the Philippines upon recommendation of the board. 
Sec. 6. Appropriation. The amount necessary to carry out the provisions of this Act 
shall be taken from the current appropriation of PCSD and shall be included in the 
General Appropriations Act of the year following its enactment into law and thereafter. 
Sec. 7. Separability Clause. If any provisions of this Act shall be held 
unconstitutional, the remaining portions not otherwise affected shall remzi9 in full 
force and effect. 


Sec. 8. Repenling Clause. All laws, executive orders, rules and regulations, or parts 
thereof inconsistent with any of the provisions of this Act are hereby amended, repealed 
or modified accordingly. 
Sec. 9. Effectivity. This Act shall take effect after its complete publication in at 
least two (2) newspapers of general circulation. 
Approved,