FIFTEENTH CONGRESS OF THE REPUBLIC 
) 
OF THE PHILIPPINES 
) 
Second Regular Session 
) 
SENJ1.T~ 
S.No. 3UOO 
'11 
OCT 20 P 1 :48 
Introduced by Senator Miriam Defensor Santiago 
EXPLANATORY NOTE 
Made up of 7,107 islands, the Philippine archipelago is located favorably in relation to 
many of Southeast Asia's main water bodies and boasts of a rich marine biodiversity. Coral-
fringed islands are home to a variety of wildlife, stlmning beaches, and rich indigenous cultures. 
In short, the Philippines offers so much opportunity for coastal tourism; yet, this is one area 
which has not yet been the subject of policy-making and rational planning. 
Many coastal communities depend on healthy coastal ecosystems and clean coastal 
waters for their survival. Many are tourist destinations; in fact, tourism is one of the main sources 
of income for many coastal communities. However, rapidly growing coastal populations, 
increasing number of visitors, and unsustainable coastal development are degrading the water 
quality and destroying the habitats that are the main attractions of coastal areas. Further, there 
seems to be a lack of rational planning by some local govermnent units in coastal areas, 
exemplified by the wanton construction oflarge-scale resorts in Boracay. 
To create long-term opportunities, a program that reconciles tourism, conservation, 
sustainable development, cultural integrity, ecological balance, and enviromnent protection 
should be institutionalized. 
The national government can help local government units, which have key roles in 
managing coastal tourism, achieve their goals of protecting vital coastal ecosystems while 
promoting economic growth and economic stability. 
The current state of coastal tourism in the Philippines faces many challenges: 
• 
National efforts to help local communities promote and implement sustainable 
practices for coastal recreation and tourism are fragmented or limited. 
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There is no systematic data collection on the magnitude, value, and impacts of 
coastal tourism and recreation, which should be the foundation of sound planning and sustainable 
management. 
• 
National efforts to educate tourists and recreational users about safe and 
sustainable use of coastal resources are expill1ding, but the lack of coordination and resources 
significantly limits progress, and key oppOliunities are missed. 
• 
Current financial ill1d technical resources available to local goverlll11ent entities 
are inadequate to effectively manage and safeguard many of the coastal and marine protected 
areas and other tourism and recreation resources (e.g., marine sanctuaries, parks, beaches) that 
are the foundation of coastal tourism and recreation. 
This bill seeks to create and institutionalize a national coastal tourism planning and 
development program that will ensure the sustainable development of the conntry's coastal and 
marine environment resources and establish supporting mechanisms for its implementation. 
Lw,-
4k·v£~ .'~ .. ~~ 
jVIII' MIRIAM DEFlJNSOR S~~U 
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FIFTEENTH CONGRESS OF THE REPUBLIC 
) 
OF THE PHILIPPINES 
) 
Second Regular Session 
) 
'11 
OCT 20 P 1 :48 
SENf.,.TJ;: 
S.No. 
3UOO 
Introduced by Senator Miriam Defensor Santiago 
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AN ACT 
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PROVIDING FOR A COASTAL TOURISM PLANNING AND DEVELOPMENT PROGRAM 
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the Philippines in Congress 
assembled: 
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SECTION 1. Short Title. - This Act shall be known as the "Coastal Tourism Planning 
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and Development Act." 
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SECTION 2. Declaration of Policy. - It is hereby declared the policy of the State to 
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develop a program of coastal tourism that reconciles tourism, conservation, sustainable 
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development, cultural integrity, ecological balance, and environment protection. 
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To this end, there is a need to establish a national office responsible for the planning and 
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development of coastal tourism in the nation's coastal zones. 
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SECTION 3. Coastal Tourism and Planning Development Office. - There shall be a 
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Coastal Tourism Planning and Development Office, hereinafter referred to as the CTPDO. The 
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Executive Director ofthe Office shall be appointed by the President. 
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The CTPDO shall have the following functions: 
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(A) 
Research and develop sustainable coastal management practices; 
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(B) 
Collect and provide access to information on the magnitude, value, and impacts of 
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ocean and coastal recreation and tourism, including information on a coastal-county basis and 
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studies on the dynamics of tourism in coastal and marine areas. 
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(C) 
Coordinate with each provincial governor of provinces with coastal areas for the 
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planning and development of coastal tourism in the province; 
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(D) 
Conduct training programs and provide technical assistance to local communities 
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to help them sllstainably manage coastal recreation and tourism; 
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(E) 
Evaluate current national and local programs related to recreation and tourism, 
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and develop best management practices as part of general guidelines for managing sustainable 
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recreation and tourism industries in the nation's coastal zones; 
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(F) 
Mobilize public/private partnerships to develop coordinated and effective policies 
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and public outreach programs related to coastal recreation and tourism; and 
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(G) 
Act as a conduit to funding local coastal tourism programs that achieve the 
objectives ofthe national coastal tourism development plan. 
SECTION 4. Specific Programs. - The CTPDO shall establish the following programs: 
(A) 
Safety program -
This program shall endeavor to create a safe and secure 
recreational environment tln'ough the management of coastal hazards, such as erosion, typhoons 
and floods. The provision of adequate levels of safety for boaters, swimmers and other water 
users shall be established; 
(B) 
Clean and healthy coastal eco-systems program - The CTPDO shall research and 
develop sound policies for marine life, wildlife and habitat protection. The program shall 
endeavor to create attractive coastal environments with clean waters and healthy coastal 
habitats; 
(C) 
Beach preservation program - Beach preservation and restoration efforts shall be 
made on a regular basis to maintain the recreational and attractive values of beaches; 
(D) 
Rural planning & development program - Plans for the construction of resorts 
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and other facilities based on rational use of the coastline shall be executed and designed to 
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properly manage and protect coastline resources and ensure sustainable coastal development; 
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(E) 
Responsible tourism marketing program - The program shall entail information 
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dissemination with the objective of educating the public about safe and sustainable use of 
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coastal resources. Tourism operators, lodge owners and other tourism product owners along the 
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coast shall be encouraged to include environmental tips and safety warnings for visitors on their 
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marketing material. 
The program shall also include the organizing and inculcation of 
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professionalism among tour guides. 
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SECTION 5. Board of Directors. - The powers of the CTDO shall be vested in and 
exercised by a Board of Directors, hereinafter referred to as the Board, which shall be composed 
of the following members: 
(A) 
Secretary of Tourism, who shall chair the Board; 
(B) 
(C) 
(D) 
Secretary of Environment and Natural Resources; 
Secretary ofInterior and Local Government; 
Dean of the University of the Philippines School of Urban and Regional Planning; 
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and 
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(E) 
Member of a nongovernment organization on marine environmental protection. 
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SECTION 6. The Executive Director. -
The Executive Director shall be appointed by 
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the President. The Executive Director shall be the chief executive of the CTPDO and shall 
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exercise direct control and supervision over the internal operations, personnel, and 
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representatives of the CTPDO. He or she is also authorized to represent the CTPDO in its 
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transactions. 
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SECTION 7. Appropriations. -
To carry out the provisions of this Act, such amount as 
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may be necessary is hereby authorized to be appropriated from the National Treasury. 
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Thereafter, the amount necessary for the continuous operation of the CTPDO shall be included in 
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the annual appropriation of the Department of Tourism. 
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SECTION 6. Separability Clause. - If any provision, or part hereof, is held invalid or 
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unconstitutional, the remainder of the law or the provision not otherwise affected shall remain 
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valid and subsisting. 
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SECTION 7. Repealing Clause. - Any law, presidential decree or issuance, executive 
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order, letter of instruction, administrative order, rule or regulation contrary to or inconsistent 
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with, the provisions ofthis Act is hereby repealed, modified, or amended accordingly. 
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SECTION 8. Effectivity Clause. - This Act shall take effect fifteen (IS) days after its 
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publication in at least two (2) newspapers of general circulation. 
Approved, 
lacs 
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