Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF THE REPRESENTATIVES
Quezon City

CEIVED

SIXTEENTH CONGRESS
First Regular Session

733

EXPLANATORY NOTE

This bill seeks to prohibit the act of climbing and other activities on active volcanoes except
upon authorization of the government and a clearance from the Philippine Institute of Volcanology and
Seismology (PHIVOLCS).

On May 7, 2013, five people died while trying to climb Mount Mayon, an active volcano, when it
exploded and spewed ash. This includes four German tourists and their Filipino tour guide, Seven more
were injured, including four Thai citizens.

PHIVOLCS maintained that Mayon was in no danger of erupting but reminded the public not to
venture into a six-kilometer permanent danger zone. According to them, steam or phreatic eruption is
normal for active volcanoes like Mayon. However, it is evident that mountain climbers are not mindful
of this danger, choosing to hike near the crater even if the danger of a volcano spewing ashes is lurking
around the corner,

Because of the boom in the tourism industry, several companies and organizations have been
formed that organize travel tours to different location: the Philippines. The proliferation of these
companies and the rapid development of the industry itself have made it more difficult for the
Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) to monitor the traffic to our tourist
destinations and to maintain minimal impact on the ecological footprint. It is necessary to protect and
maintain these areas for the benefit of more tourists.

But most importantly, the primary concern of the government should be the safety of its citizens
and tourists who have come to the Philippines to see and experiences its attractions. The potential
fatalities arid injuries that may result from allowing leisure and recreational climbers surpass the
demand for a tourism industry to boom in areas where there are active volcanoes.

In light pfll these circumstances, the swift passage/this bill is earnestly sought.

CHRISTOPHER S. CO RODEL M. BATOCABE


Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF THE REPRESENTATIVES
Quezon City

SIXTEENTH CONGRESS
First Regular Session

HOUSE BILL NO.

‘AN ACT PROHIBITING MOUNTAINEERING AND OTHER ACTIVITIES ON ACTIVE VOLCANOES
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the Philippines in Congress assembled:

SECTION 1. Title. This act shall be known as the “Anti-Volcano Climbing Act of 2012.”

SECTION 2. Prohibition on mountaineering on active volcanoes. The penalty of a fine not less than
Ten Thousand Pesos (Php 10,000) but not more than Fifty Thousand Pesos (Php 50,000) shall be
imposed upon any person who shall conduct any mountaineering activities on active volcanoes within a
ten (10) kilometer radius from the crater of the volcano, except if such activity was under the direct
supervision and control of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) and
authorized by the Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (PHIVOLCS), and only for
educational, academic and research purposes.

SECTION 3. bility of officers and juridical persons. If the person is a partnership, firm,
corporation, association or any other organization, the officers and/or the organizers of the activity who
know or should have known the commission of the offense shall be liable.

SECTION 4. Authorization of the PHIVOLCS. The PHIVOLCS shall issue a written authorization to any
natural or juridical person to claim an exception to this Act upon the submission of documents showing
the purpose for which the climb is to be undertaken, the list of the members of the team who will make
the climb which shall not be less than four (4) members, a list of the officers and/or organizers of the
climb, if different from the team members, and payment of required fees.

SECTION 5. Control and supervision of the DENR. The team shall report to the nearest DENR Office
or Ranger Station before and after the climb. They shall provide the DENR with all the documents
submitted to the PHIVOLCS together with its written authorization. The DENR may have the option of
sending a representative to accompany the team in the climb.

SECTION 6. Separability Clause. - If any provision or part hereof is held invalid or unconstitutional, the
remainder of the law or the provision not otherwise affected shall remain valid and subsisting

SECTION 7. Repealing Clause. - Any law, presidential decree or issuance, executive order, letter of
instruction, administrative order, rule or regulation contrary to or inconsistent with, the provision of
this Act is hereby repealed, modified or amended accordingly.

SECTION 8. Effectivity. This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days in at least one (1) newspaper of
general circulation.

Approved.