NINETEENTH CONGRESS OF THE 
) 
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES 
) 
First Regular Session 
) 
HOUSE BILL NO.______ 
Introduced by Representative JAIME EDUARDO MARC D. COJUANGCO 
EXPLANATORY NOTE 
This bill seeks to declare the Mt. Damas and Ubod Falls in the Municipality of 
San Clemente, Province of Tarlac as an eco-tourism site. 
According to mountaineers, Mt. Damas is one of the favorites in the province of 
Tarlac. Mt. Damas easily became a favorite because of the falls along the trail. Among 
these falls, Ubod falls is hailed as the most common sidetrip for hikers who visit Mt. 
Damas. It takes 4-5 hours trekking from Sitio Dueg to experience a panoramic view of 
the Tarlac and Pangasinan plains and Mt. Arayat from afar.  
For the following reasons, this representation believes that Mt. Damas and Ubod 
Falls can become an international tourist destination. Thus, its development as an eco-
tourism site will not only enhance its aesthetic value but it shall also incur economic 
benefits for the municipality and its people. 
In this regard, the passage of this bill is earnestly sought. 
JAIME EDUARDO MARC D. COJUANGCO 
Representative 
1st District of Tarlac 
October 11, 2022
11:50 am
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NINETEENTH CONGRESS OF THE 
) 
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES 
) 
First Regular Session 
) 
HOUSE BILL NO. _____ 
Introduced by Representative JAIME EDUARDO MARC D. COJUANGCO 
AN ACT 
DECLARING MT. DAMAS AND UBOD FALLS IN BARANGAY MAASIN, 
MUNICIPALITY OF SAN CLEMENTE, PROVINCE OF TARLAC AS AN 
ECOTOURISM SITE AND APPROPRIATING FUNDS THEREFOR 
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the Philippines in Congress 
assembled: 
Section 1. Short Title. – This Act shall be known as “Mt. Damas and Ubod Falls 
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Ecotourism Act” 
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Section 2. Declaration of Policy. - It is hereby declared the policy of the State to 
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promote a tourism industry that is ecologically stable, responsible, participative, 
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culturally sensitive, economically viable and equitably beneficial to local communities. 
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Section 3. The Ubod Falls in Barangay Massin, Municipality of San Clemente, 
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Province of Tarlac is hereby declared an ecotourism site. Its development shall be 
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prioritized by the Department of Tourism (DOT) and shall be subject to the rules and 
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regulations governing the development of ecotourism sites. 
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The DOT shall prepare and incorporate the development plan for Ubod Falls in 
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the overall National Tourism Development Plan (NTDP), pursuant to Republic Act No. 
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9593, otherwise known as “The Tourism Act of 2009”. The plan shall be implemented 
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jointly with the municipality of San Clemente, the local Protected Area Management 
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Board (PAMB), and the Tourism Infrastructure and Enterprise Zone Authority (TIEZA). 
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The DOT, in coordination with the Municipality of San Clemente, the PAMB, the 
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TIEZA and other concerned agencies and intstrumentalites of the government, shall 
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identify well defined geographic areas within Ubod Falls ecotourism site and 
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coordinate the integrated development of the areas for the optimum utilization of 
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naural assets and attractions, as well as existing infrastructures and facilities; Provided, 
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that the development shall ensure the preservation of the scenery and historic 
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significance of the identified tourist attractions. 
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Section 4. Implementation. - Within sixty (60) days after the effectivity of this Act, 
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the Secretary of Tourism, in consultation with the municipality of San Clemente, the 
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PAMB, the TIEZA and other tourism stakeholders, shall promulgate the necessary rules 
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and regulations for the proper implementation of this Act.  
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Section 5. Appropriations. - The Secretary of Tourism shall include in the 
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Department’s program the implementation of this Act, the funding of which shall be 
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included in the General Appropriations Act and internally generated funds of the DOT. 
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Section 6. Repealing Clause. - All laws, executive orders, presidential decrees, 
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rules and regulations and other issuances contrary or inconsistent with this Act shall be 
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deemed repealed or modified accordingly. 
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Section 7. Effectivity. - This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after its 
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publication in the Official Gazette or in a newspaper of general circulation. 
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Approved, 
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