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SIXTEENTH CONGRESS,
Second Regular Session

HOUSE BILL NO. 5688”.

Introduced by Rep. Abdullah D, Dimaporo. eZ

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*« EXPLANATORY NOTE

This bill seeks to declare the Cathedral Falls, Located in Barangay Cathedral Falls,
Municipality of Kapatagan, Lanao del Norte, as a tourism development site to ensure the full
development of the site as a viable tourism destination in line with the national government's
thrust of enhancing the country’s tourism sector as a pillar of national development.

Cathedral Falls is blessed with natural attractions that set it apart from other
waterfalls. Ithas a captivating surrounding and majestic scenery not found in other waterfalls.
On both sides of the falls and under its rushing waters are rocks that look like a pipe organ
usually found in cathedrals, hence the name of the waterfalls. And unlike other waterfalls, it
is located only two kilometers away from the Kapatagan town center. Visitors nced not trek
kilometers of dangerous trails littered with cliffs and ravines, A well-paved road leads to the
site in less than ten minutes.

Despite its vast potentials as a viable tourism destination, however, Cathedral Falls is
still (00 far away from its maximum potential,

With proper development, the Cathedral Falls has the potential to become a prime
tourist destination. Hence, the national government should step in to introduce new and
appropriate developments in the premises of the site to further enhance its beauty and
promote it properly as an attractive tourist destination in the national and international levels
without compromising its sustainability as an ecologically-sensitive natural site. These tasks
may unduly burden the host LGUs in terms of technical and financial capabilities.

It is, therefore, the objective of this bill to develop the Cathedral Falls to its maximum
potential and promote it as one of the leading tourist destinations in Northern Mindanao with
its natural beauty and unique attractions, by declaring it as tourism development site, Doing
so will certainly increase awareness and appreciation for the site and will foster both local
and international interest and attention that may eventually inerease economic activity in the
host municipality and promote the Province of Lanao de! Norte as a viable tourist destination.

In view of these premises, the prompt approval of this bill is earnestly sought.
REP. — D. DIMAPORO
Second District, Lanao del Norte



Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Quezon City

SIXTEENTH CONGRESS
Second Regular Session

HOUSE BILL No._ S688

Introduced by Rep. Abdullah D. Dimaporo

AN ACT
DECLARING THE CATHEDRAL FALLS LOCATED IN BARANGAY
CATHEDRAL FALLS, MUNICIPALITY OF KAPATAGAN, PROVINCE OF
LANAO DEL NORTE AS A TOURISM DEVELOPMENT SITE AND
APPROPRIATING FUNDS THEREFORE,

Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the Philippines in
Congress assembled,

SECTION 1. The Cathedral Falls located in Barangay Cathedral Falls, Municipality
of Kapatagan, Province of Lanao del Norte is hereby declared a tourism development site. As
such, the Department of Tourism (DOT) is mandated to incorporate it in the Philippine
‘National Tourism Development Plan.

SECTION 2. The DOT, in coordination with the Tourism Infrastructure and
Enterprise Zone Authority (TIEZA) and the provincial and municipal local government units
concerned, shall, within one (1) year after the approval of this Act, prepare a tourism
development plan for the area that will ensure its viability and sustainability, and undertake
the implementation of the said plan,

SECTION 3. The DOT, in coordination with the provincial and municipal local
government units concerned, shall issue such rules and regulations as it may deem necessary
for the implementation of this Act.

SECTION 4. The Secretary of the DOT shall include in the Department's program the
implementation of this Act, the funding of which shall be included in the annual General
Appropriations Act and/or internally generated funds of the Department,

SECTION 5. This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after its publication in the
Official Gazette or in a newspaper of general circulation.

Approved,