EIGHTEENTH CONGRESS OF THE) 
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES 
) 
First Regular Session 
)
SENATE 
s. No. 
878
'i r 1'
iS 'li.i of 
f r f 'i f'li'i’
•19 AUG-7 PI 55
Introduced by Senator Manuel “Lito” M. Lapid
RJi ■
AN ACT
ESTABLISHING AN INTER-GOVERNMENTAL TASK FORCE FOR THE PROTECTION
AND ASSISTANCE OF TOURISTS
EXPLANATORY NOTE
Tourism remains as a major driver of economic growth in our country. As 
reported by the Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA), the tourism sector contributed 
12.7% to the country’s gross domestic product (GDP) for the year 2018 which 
amounted to Php 2.2 Trillion. The industry is likewise a source of employment for 
our citizens as the share of employment in tourism industries to total employment 
was recorded at 13% or Php 5.4 Million in 2018.1
For this year, tourist arrivals continue to flourish with the Department of 
Tourism (DOT) reporting a growth rate of 15.62% for the period of covering the 
month of May 2019 as compared to the figures of May 2018. South Korea, China 
and the United States registered the three highest volume of tourists equivalent to 
more than 50% of the total tourist arrivals for May 2019.2
To be able to sustain this upward trend experienced by the sector, it is 
necessary that programs, policies and projects are put in place to protect the 
welfare of both foreign and domestic tourists in order to boost our image and 
stature as an international tourist destination. Therefore, the coordination and 
cooperation among the different government agencies related to tourist protection
1 https://psa.gov.ph/tourisni-satellite-accoLints-press-releases
2 http://www.touiisni.gov.ph/indListry_pcrtoi-inancc niay2019/May201Oa3b.|xlf


and assistance must be fostered. This bill proposes the creation of the Tourist 
Protection and Assistance Task Force to be composed of the DOT, Department of 
the Interior and Local Government (DILG), Department of Transportation (DOTr), 
Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH), Department of Justice (DOJ), 
the Philippine National Police (PNP) and other government and private sector 
representatives. The Task Force will serve as the umbrella agency to ensure the 
adoption of uniform standards on signages, promotion of multi-lingualism on travel 
and tourism information, establishment of an assistance system, and the creation of 
help desks, among others.
Early approval of this bill is earnestly sought.
NUEL “ LITO” M. LAPID
Senator 
H


EIGHTEENTH CONGRESS OF THE) 
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES 
First Regular Session 
)
)
SENATE
s .  No. 
878
Olf.:.' of tH.-
*19 
AUG-7 PI 55
Introduced by Senator Manuel “Lito” M. Lapid
AN ACT
ESTABLISHING AN INTER-GOVERNMENTAL TASK FORCE FOR THE PROTECTION
AND ASSISTANCE OF TOURISTS
Be it enacted by the Senate and the House of Representatives of the 
Philippines in Congress assembled:
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Section 1. Short Title. -  This Act shall be known as the “Tourist Protection
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and Assistance Act”.
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Sec. 2. Declaration of Principles. -  The State recognizes tourism as a major
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contributor to the country’s economic growth. Towards this end, the State shall
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endeavor to enact measures for the protection and assistance of tourists, both
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domestic and foreign, during their travel around the country.
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Sec. 3. Tourist Protection and Assistance Task Force. -  Within nine (9)
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months after the approval of this Act, the Secretary of the Department of Tourism
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(DOT) shall establish an intergovernmental task force to be known as the “Tourist
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Protection and Assistance Task Force”, hereinafter referred to as the “Task Force.”
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It shall be the duty of the Task Force to facilitate, through the concerned
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national government agencies and local government units (LGUs), the following:
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(a) Adoption of uniform standards on signage for use throughout the
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Philippines in order to facilitate travel in the country:


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(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) Preparation 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 LCDs for the establishment of tourist help desks in 
identified tourist destinations; and
(f) Institution of measures to prevent unlawful acts or harassment committed 
on tourists.
Sec. 4. Composition of the Task Force. -  The Task Force shall be composed
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of the following:
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(a) Secretary of the DOT or the duly designated representative as
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Chairperson;
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(b) Secretary of the Department of Interior and Local Government or the duly
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designated representative, as Vice Chairperson;
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(c) Secretary of the Department of Transportation or the duly designated 
representative;
(d) Secretary of the Department of Public Works and Highways or the duly 
designated representative;
(e) Secretary of the Department of Justice or the duly designated 
representative;
(f) Director General of the Philippine National Police or the duly designated 
representative;
(g) Such other representatives of other government agencies and private 
sector entities as may be determined to be appropriate to the mission of 
the Task Force by the Chairperson, as members.


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The Task Force shall meet whenever necessary.
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Sec. 5. Funding. -  The amount necessary to cover the expenses for the
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operation of the Task Force shall be charged against the existing appropriation of
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the DOT as contained in the annual General Appropriations Act.
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Funds for the implementation of the programs and projects that shall be
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approved by the Task Force shall be included in the appropriation of the
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implementing agencies concerned.
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Sec. 6. Separability Clause. - Should any provision of this Act or the
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application thereof to any person or circumstance be held invalid, the other
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provisions or sections of this Act shall not be affected thereby.
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Sec. 7. Repealing Clause. -  All laws, decrees, executive orders, rules and
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regulations or parts thereof which are inconsistent with this Act are hereby repealed,
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amended or modified accordingly.
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Sec. 8. Effectivity Clause. - This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days
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following its publication in the Official Gazette or in at least two (2) newspapers of
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general circulation.
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Approved,