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SIXTEENTH CONGRESS OF THE REPUBLIC 
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OF THE PHILIPPINES 
) 
First Regular Session 
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'13 
OCT -3 P5 :45 
SENATE 
S.No. ]805 
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Introduced by Senator Miriam Defensor Santiago 
EXPLANATORY NOTE 
Executive Order No. 292, or the "Administrative Code of 1987," Title 13, Chapter 1, 
Section 1, provides: 
The State shall promote, encourage and develop tourism as a major 
national activity in which private sector investment, effort and initiative are 
fostered and supported, and though which socio-economic development may be 
accelerated, foreign exchange earned, international visitors offered the 
opportunity to travel to the Philippines and appreciate its natural beauty, history 
and culture, and Filipinos themselves enabled to see more or their country and 
imbued with greater pride in and commitment to the mltion. 
The tourism industry contributes to the economic growth of our country by generating 
foreign exchange earnings, employment opportunities and international goodwill. It also 
promotes the rich and colorful socio-culturallife of the Filipino people. 
In order to realize the full potential of tourism as an important economic tool necessary 
for national development, the government should adopt and implement an integrated approach to 
tourism development. 
Hence, this bill seeks to establish an intergovernmental task force for international visitor 
assistance to make the Philippines a premier travel and tourism destination in the world.' 
• This bill was originally filed during the Fourteenth Congress, First Regular Session. 
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" 
SIXTEENTH CONGRESS OF THE REPUBLIC 
) 
OF THE PHILIPPINES 
) 
First Regular Session 
) 
SENATE 
S. No. 
.1805 
Introduced by Senator Miriam Defensor Santiago 
AN ACT 
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OCT -3 P5 :45 
ESTABLISHING AN INTERGOVERNMENTAL TASK FORCE FOR 
INTERNATIONAL VISITOR ASSISTANCE 
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 "Visit Philippines Act." 
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SECTION 2. International Visitor Assistance Task Force. -
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(A) 
ESTABLISHMENT - Not later than ninety (90) days after the enactment of this 
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Act, the Secretary of Tourism shall establish an Intergovernmental Task Force for International 
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Visitor Assistance (hereinafter referred to as the "Task Force"). 
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(B) 
DUTIES - The Task Force shall examine-
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(I) 
signage at facilities in the Philippines, including airports, seaports, land 
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border crossings, highways, and bus, train, and other public transit 
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stations, and shall identifY existing inadequacies and suggest solutions for 
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such inadequacies, such as the adoption of uniform standards on signage 
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for use throughout the Philippines in order to facilitate international 
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visitor's travel in the Philippines; 
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(2) 
the availability of multilingual travel and tourism information and means 
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of disseminating, at no or minimal cost to the government, of such 
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information; and 
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(3) 
facilitating the establishment of a toll-free, private-sector operated, 
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telephone number, staffed by multilingual operators, to provide assistance 
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to international tourists coping with an emergency. 
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(C) 
MEMBERSHIP - The Task Force shall be composed of the following members: 
(D) 
(1) 
The Secretary of Tourism; 
(2) 
The Secretary ofInterior and Local Government; 
(3) 
The Secretary of Transportation and Communications; 
(4) 
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 Chair. 
CHAIR - The Secretary of Tourism shall be the Chair of the Task Force. The 
Task Force shall meet at least twice each year. Each member of the Task Force shall furnish 
necessary assistance to the Task Force. 
(E) 
REPORT - Not later than eighteen (18) months after the date of the enactment of 
this Act, the Chair of the Task Force shall submit to the President and to Congress a report on the 
results of the review, including proposed amendments to existing laws or regulations as may be 
appropriate to implement such recommendations. 
SECTION 3. Funding. -
(A) 
AUTHORIZATION - Subject to subsection (B), there are authorized to be 
appropriated such sums as may be necessary for the purpose of funding promotional activities by 
the Department of Tourism to help brand, position, and promote the Philippines as a premier 
travel and tourism destination in the world. 
(B) 
RESTRICTIONS ON USE OF FUNDS - None of ~he funds appropriated under 
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subsection (A) may be used for purposes other than marketing, research, outreach, or any other 
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activity designed to promote the Philippines as the premier travel and tourism destination in the 
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world. 
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SECTION 4. Report to Congress. - The Secretary shall submit to the relevant 
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Committees of Congress an annual detailed report setting forth -
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(A) 
the marmer in which appropriated funds were expended; 
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(B) 
changes in the Philippine market share of international tourism in general and as 
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measured against specific countries and regions; 
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(C) 
an analysis of the impact of international tourism on the Philippine economy, 
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including, as specifically as practicable, an analysis of the impact of expenditures made pursuant 
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to this Act; 
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(D) 
an analysis of the impact of international tourism on the Philippine trade balance 
and, as specifically as practicable, an analysis of the impact on the trade balance of expenditures 
made pursuant to this Act; and 
(E) 
an analysis of other relevant economic impacts as a result of expenditures made 
pursuant to this Act. 
SECTION 5. 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 6. Repealing Clause. - Any law, presidential decree or issuance, executive 
order, letter of instruction, administrative order, rule, or regulation contrary to or inconsistent 
with the provisions ofthis Act is hereby repealed? modified, or amended accordingly. 
SECTION 7. Effectivity Clause. - This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after its 
publication in at least two (2) newspapers of general circulation. 
Approved, 
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