SIXTEENTH CONGRESS OF THE REPUBLIC) 
OF THE PHIl:IPPINES 
) 
First Regular Session 
) 
SENATE 
Senate Bill No. 13 6 4 
iNiROOUCEO BVSEN. JINGG(j'Y' EJE~tlt(j ESt~DA 
EXPLANATORY NOTE 
-it'mrtt 
~@Hl1;< of I~. jo .. "ta'1 
'13 
AUG 28 P 2 :08 
Heralded as the "Virgin Boracay of the Philippines", the Island of Malapascua in 
the Municipality of Daanbantayan in the Province of Cebu has attracted a 
significant number of local and foreign tourists. The rich biodiversity and colorful 
heritage of the Island truly reflects the beauty of a paradise that our country 
should be proud of. 
In recognition of its valuable contribution to tourism and economy both in the 
looal and national level; and in view of maximizing its full potential in these 
aspects, this measure proposes the declaration of the Island of Malapascua as 
an Eco-Tourism Destination of the Philippines. It mandates the Department of 
Environment and Natural ReSbUtcE!S (DENR) and Department bf TouriSm (DOT) 
to prepare an eco-tourism master plan to ensure the promotion of tourism, the 
generation of employment and most importantly, the protection and preservation 
of the environment and ecosystem. 
This measure was submitted in the Fifteenth Congress by the Committees on 
Environment and Natural Resources, Tourism, and Finance. It was however, not 
passed Into law. 
Tlie Immeoli:i{e passage of Ulls bill Is earnestly soUght. 
GOY EJERCITO ESTRADA 
Senator 


SIXTEENTH CONGRESS OF THE REPUBLIC) 
OF THE PHILIPPINES 
) 
First Regular Session 
) 
SENATE 
Senate Biii No. 13 6 4 
:StrUtt, 
*$Horr vI !~. ;io.rr.iar, 
'13 
AIlG 28 P 2 :08 
INTRODUCED BY SEN. JINGGOY EJERCITO ESTRADA 
AN ACT 
DECLARING THE ISLAND OF MALAPASCUA, PROVINCE OF CEBU AS AN 
ECO-TOURISM DESTINATION OF THE PHILIPPINES AND FOR OTHER 
PURPOSES 
Be it enacted by the Senate and the House of Representatives of the Philippines 
in Congress assembled: 
1 
SECTION 1. State Policy, - It is hereby declared the policy of the State to 
2 
promote sustainabie tourism industry: 
3 
4 
Towards that end, the country shall rationalize all efforts pertaining to 
5 
environmental protection and making the industry a major source of livelihood 
6 
and an avenue for the generation of employment. 
Henceforth, aggressive 
7 
measure seeking to restore the country's share in the Asian tourist market shall 
8 
be consistent witli tlie preservation of the existing ecosYStem and riaturi;il 
9 
environment. 
10 
11 
12 
SEC. 2. Pursuant to the public policy, the Island of Malapascua, Province of 
13 
Cebu is hereby declared an eco-tourism destination of the Philippines. 
14 
15 
16 
SEC. 3, Creation €If EiGQ-TQurism Task Foree; - Within a year from the approval 
17 
of this Act, there shall be created an Eco Tourism Task Force whose governing 
18 
board shall be co-chaired by the Congressman and the Governor of Cebu. The 
19 
membership of the board shall be composed of representatives from the 
20 
Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR), the Department of 
21 
Tourism (DOT), the Department of Health (DOH), the private sector, the Non-
22 
Governmental drganizations, and the local government units concerned. 
23 
24 
25 
SEC. 4. The DENR and DOT shall prepare an eco-tourism master plan and 
26 
promulgate the necessary rules, and regulations to be approved by the President 
27 
of the Philippines upon recommendation of the board, for implementation by the 
28 
concerned National Government Agencies and/or Local Government Units. 
29 
30 
1 


1 
SEC. 5. 
Appropriations. -
The Secretary of the DOT shall include in the 
2 
department's program the implementation of this Act, the funding of which shall 
3 
be included in the Annual General Appropriations Act. 
4 
5 
6 
SEC. 6. Separability Clause. - Any provision of this Act or part thereof that may 
7 
be declared unconstitutional shall not affect the effectivity of the other provisions. 
8 
9 
10 
SEC. 7. Repealing Clause. - All laws, executive orders, presidential decrees, 
11 
rules and regulations, and other issuance contrary to or inconsistent with this Act 
12 
shall be deemed repealed or modified accordingly. 
D 
14 
15 
SEC. 8. Effectivity Clause. - This Act shall take effect upon its approval. 
16 
17 
18 
19 
20 
21 
Approved, 
2