TWENTIETH CONGRESS OF THE 
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REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES 
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First Regular Session 
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25 JUL21 PI :41
SENATE
S. No. 741
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Introduced by Senator JV Ejercito
AN ACT
INSTITUTIONALIZING THE NATIONAL TASK FORCE FOR TOURIST SAFFETY 
PROTECTION, AND ASSISTANCE, DEFINING ITS POWERS AND FUNCTIONS, 
AND APPROPRIATING FUNDS THEREFOR 
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EXPLANATORY NOTE
Tourism has long been a key pillar of the Philippine economy. In 2023, the 
Department of Tourism (DOT) recorded 5.45 million international tourist arrivals, 
exceeding the year's target of 4.8 million.1 This resulted to an additional Php 482 
billion in revenue, highlighting the economic significance of tourism as a job generator, 
investment facilitator, and local economy stimulator. In 2024, foreign tourist arrivals 
increased to more than 6.3 million and reached a record-high tourism revenues of 
about Php 760 billion in the same year.2 The current administration has implemented 
pro-tourism policies that prioritize sustainable development of tourism resources while 
ensuring the welfare of our communities.
Despite this progress, concerns about tourism safety, scams, emergency 
assistance, and the lack of coordinated support systems remain. Incidents involving 
petty crimes, tour-related fraud, transportation safety lapses, and even natural 
disasters, especially in top destinations, highlight the urgent need for institutionalized
1 CPBRD Facts and Figures. Performance of the Philippine Tourism Industries. 2024. 
http'//cpbrd.congress.gov.ph/wp-content/upload.s/2024/l n/FF?094-S9-Pprff.rtn->r.^Q-/kf tr... °»-iliDninc Tnnri-.m 
Industries-FlN-2.pdf 
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PHL Hits Record High Tourism Revenue in 2024. https://beta.tourism.gov.ph/news and updates/nhl-hits- 
record-high-tourism-revenue-in-2024/ 
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and responsive tourist protection mechanisms. Just recently, high-profile crimes 
targeting tourists have drawn both national and international concern. In February 
2025, an American tourist was fatally shot at an ATM in Mindanao during a robbery. 
Just months earlier, in July 2024, an Australian couple and their Filipino relative were 
found murdered in a hotel in Tagaytay, an incident that raised grave concerns about 
hotel security and emergency response in tourist areas. These incidents are not just 
isolated cases, but they threatened the safety of visitors, and damage the reputation 
of our tourism sector. The DOT, in addition to the Tourist-Oriented Police for 
Community Order and Protection (TOPCOP), and other agencies, is trying to address 
these problems, but there are still more to improve. A 2022 Commission on Audit 
(COA) report even cited uneven assignment of tourist police and non-operational 
tourist information centers of many LGUs.
With these, the proposed measure seeks to institutionalize the National Task 
Force for Tourist, Safety, Protection, and Assistance (NTF-TSPA), an inter-agency body 
led by the DOT, which will help develop a formulate an integrated national action plan, 
adopt tourist protection programs and establish tourist help desks and emergency 
hotline in key destinations. This measure aims to secure the rights and welfare of 
tourists and upgrade the country as a safety destination in the eyes of the world.
In view of the foregoing, the approval of this bill is earnestly sought.
-a(y
JV EJERCITO


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TWENTIETH CONGRESS OF THE 
)
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES 
)
First Regular Session 
)
•' i f I f r 0 i 1 >'.
25 JUL21 PI :41
SENATE
S. No. 741
RHCEiVtiD BY,
Introduced by Senator JV Ejercito
AN ACT
INSTITUTIONALIZING THE NATIONAL TASK FORCE FOR TOURIST SAFFETY 
PROTECTION, AND ASSISTANCE, DEFINING ITS POWERS AND FUNCTIONS7 
AND APPROPRIATING FUNDS THEREFOR 
'
Be it enacted by the Senate and the House of Representatives of the Philippines 
in Congress assembled:
Section 1. Short Title. -This Act shall be known as the 'Tourist Safety, Protection 
and Assistance Act."
Sec. 2. Declaration of Policy. - As the State recognizes tourism as a major 
contributor to the country's economic growth. It is the policy of the State to ensure 
the safety, security, and welfare of all tourists in the Philippines.
Sec. 3. Institutionalization of the National Task Force. -The National Task Force 
for Tourist Safety, Protection, and Assistance (NTF-TSPA) is hereby institutionalized 
as a permanent inter-agency body under the supervision of the Department of Tourism 
(DOT).
Sec 4. Composition of the National Task Force for Tourist Safety, Protection and 
Assistance (NTF-TSPA). -The Task Force shall be chaired by the Secretary of Tourism, 
and co-chaired by the Secretary of the Interior and Local Government. It shall be 
composed of representatives from the following agencies:
a. Department of Justice (DOJ)
b. Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA)
c. Department of Health (DOH)
d. Department of Transportation (DOTr)


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e. Bureau of Immigration (BI)
f. 
Philippine National Police (PNP), through its Tourism Police Units
g. Philippine Cost Guard (PCG)
h. Civil Aviation Authority of the Philippines (CAAP)
i. 
League of Provinces, Cities, and Municipalities of the Philippines
j. Other agencies as may be deemed necessary by the Task Force 
Sec. 5. Duties,, Powers and Functions. - It shall be the duty of the NTF-TSPA 
to facilitate, through the concentered national government agencies and local 
government units. (LGUs), the following:
(a) Adoption of uniform standards on signage for use throughout the 
Philippines to facilitate travel in the country;
(b) Provision of directional signages in tourism facilities and destinations, 
including airports, seaports, land border crossings, highways, and bus, 
train, and other public transit locations;
(c) Preparations and dissemination of multilingual travel and tourism 
information and promotional materials;
(d) Establishment of a toll-free telephone assistance system run by 
multilingual operators to provide assistance to domestic and foreign 
tourists;
(e) Coordination with LGUs for the establishment of tourist help desks in 
identified tourist destinations; and
(f) Institution of measures to prevent unlawful acts of harassment 
committed on tourists.
Sec. 6. Local implementation. - Local government units (LGUs) shall establish 
Local Tourist Assistance and Protection Councils (LTAPCs) to implement NTF-TSPA 
programs and the local level and serve as first responders to tourist safety concerns.
Sec. 7. Funding. —The amount necessary to cover the expenses for the operation 
of the NTF-TSPA shall be charged against the existing appropriation of the DOT as 
contained in the annual General Appropriations Act. Funds for the implementation of 
the programs and projects that shall be approved by the NTF-TSPA shall be included 
in the appropriation of the implementing agencies concerned.


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Sec. 8. Separability Clause. - If any part or provision of this Act shali be declared 
unconstitutional or invalid, the other provisions hereof which are not affected thereby 
shali remain in full force and effect.
Sec. 9. Repealing Clause. - All laws, decrees, executive orders, memorandum 
orders, memorandum circulars, administrative orders, ordinances or parts thereof 
which are inconsistent with the provisions of this Act are hereby deemed repealed or 
modified accordingly.
Sec. 10. Effectivity. - This Act shali take effect fifteen (15) days after its 
publication in the Official Gazette or in a newspaper of nationai circulation.
Approved,