Republic of the Philippines
House of Representatives
Quezon City

NINETEENTH CONGRESS
First Regular Session

House Bill No. 232

Introduced by Representative Reynante U. Arrogancia

EXPLANATORY NOTE
Tourism is one of the leading contributors to the Philippine economy, It helped improve
our socio-economic well-being through generation of employment, income for local businesses,
investments and foreign exchange and a deep regard to cultural heritage and traditions

It was among the economic sectors that were strongly hit by the COVID-19 pandemic.!
The recent easing of hard lock down impositions and quarantine restrictions has enabled the
industry's stakeholders to resume operations and bounce back at the national and local levels,
backed with government support

The Philippine Statisties Authority has reported that in 2021, the contribution of Tourism
Direct Gross Value Added (TDGVA) to the Philippine economy is estimated at 5.2 percent. The
TDGVA is higher by 9.2 percent in 2021, amounting to PhP1,001.30 billion compared with the
PhP 917.20 billion in 2020, *

The same repost stated that \dustries was estimated at 4.90
million in 2021, higher by 4.6 percent compared with 4.68 million in 2020. Domestic tourism
expenditure posted the highest growth in 2021 at 38.7 percent. To sustain this trend,
strengthening of programs and policies are needed to protect the welfare of both foreign and
domestic tourists as the industry recovers from the effects of the pandemic

This bill seeks to implement an integrated approach in tourism safety development by
creating a Tourist Protection and Assistance Council, to be composed by the Department of
Tourism (DoT), in coordination with the Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG),
and other concemed national government agencies and local government units (LGUs)

‘The Tourist Protection and Assistance Council will ensure the adoption of uniform
standard on signage, promotion of multilingualism on travel and tourist information, creation of
help desks and establishment of assistance systems across all tourist establishments in the
country, among others.

7 Se Econom Newsletter (2022, May), Retneved trom Nips ww bsp gov pluMedie_And.Research/Pubicatons/ENZ2.02 ph
7 pnippine Statistics Authority. Share of Tourism to GOP 2021



‘These coordinated and integrated policies will serve as an ideal measure in achieving the
national goals towards the fullest development of tourism in the country. A similar measure has
been filed in the 18” Congress in hoth houses and it is hoped that in the 19" Congress this bill
will finally become a law.

In view of the foregoing, this representation seeks appro¥4l of this bill

REYNAN
Rey

J. ARROGANC!
sentative

prs

no


Sear s9HsoNnN+

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Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

NINETEENTH CONGRESS
First Regular Session

House Bill No. 232

Introduced by Representative Reynante U. Arrogancia

AN ACT
ESTABLISHING A TOURIST PROTECTION AND ASSISTANCE COUNCIL FOR THE
SECURITY AND PROTECTION OF TOURISTS AND TOURIST FACILITIES

Be it enacted hy the Senate and House of Representatives of the Philippines in Congress
assembled:

SECTION 1. Short Title. — This Act shall be known as the “Tourist Protection and
Assistance Act”,

See, 2, D, 4 = ‘The State recognizes tourism as one of
contributors to the country's economic growth. Towards this end, the State shall endeavor to
enact measures for the protection and assistance of tourists, domestic and foreign, during their

travel across tourist-service establishments and facilities in the country.

Sec. 3. Tourist Protection and Assistance Council. — Within six (6) months from the
effectivity of this Act, the Department of Tourism (DoT), in coordination with the Department of
Interior and Local Government (DILG) and other concerned national government agencies and
local government units (LGUs), shall establish a tourist protection and assistance council aimed
at strengthening security and protection measures for tourists and tour-service establishments.
The council shall administer the following

(a) Adoption of uniform standards on signage for use to facilitate travel throughout the
country;

(b) Provision of directional signage in tourism facilities and destinations, including
airports, seaports, land border crossings, highways, and bus, train and other public transit
iocations;

(c) Preparation and dissemination of multilingual travel and tourism information and
promotional materials;

(e) Coordination with LGUs for the establishment of tourist help desks in identified
tourist destinations including free access to the internet and telephone:

(5 linstitution of iiteasuies to prevent unlawful acts or harassment Coins
tourists including a system for filing a complaint; and

(g) Establishment of guidelines for disaster response and protection including assessment
for local preparedness and response capability, assessment of disaster risks in tourist destination
areas, ensuring the safety of tourists, guidelines to evacuate, and creation of tourist disaster

idelines

Sec. 4. Composition of Tourist Protection and Assistance Council. — The Tourist
Protection and Assistance Council shall be headed by the Secretary of the Department of
Tourism (DoT) or its duly designated representative, and composed of a representative of the
Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG). other concerned national government
agencies and local government units (LGUs) and such other representatives of other government
agencies and private sector entities as may be determined to be appropriate to the mandate of the
Tourist Protection and Assistance Council


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Sec. 5, Funding. - The amount necessary to cover the expenses for the operation and
implementation of the programs and projects of the Tourist Protection and Assistance Council
shall be charged against the existing of the DOT as contained in the
General Appropriations Act.

Sec. 6. Separability Clause. ~ If any provision of this Act shall be declared
unconstitutional or invalid, the other provisions not affected thereby shall remain in full force
and effect,

Sec. 7. Repealing Clause. ~ All laws, rules, regulations, executive orders, presidential
decrees and other issuances inconsistent with any of the provisions of this Act are hereby
deemed repealed or amended accordingly.

Sec. 8. Effectivity. — This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after its publication in
the Official Gazette or in a newspaper of general circulation.

Approved,