Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Quezon City

NINETEENTH CONGRESS
First Regular Session

HOUSE BILL No. _2488

Introduced by: HON. CLAUDE P. BAUTISTA

EXPLANATORY NOTE

This bill seeks to declare the Municipality of Sarangani as an eco-tourism
zone. A coastal municipality in the province of Davao Occidental, Sarangani
consists of undiscovered picturesque sites that have the potential to eventually
be internationally-known tourist destinations at the same level with or even
greater than the Island of Boracay, Palawan and the like.

The municipality of Sarangani consists of two major islands namely
Sarangani Island and Balut Island. These two major islands present a variety of
promising beaches with abundant marine resources and lush-green forest.
Within Sarangani Island alone, there are more than ten (10) white-sand pristine
beaches where tourists can enjoy swimming, snorkeling, scuba-diving or simply
admire the scenic and peaceful sunset by the crystal-clear shore. One of the
famous tourist destinations is Bubu Beach located in Barangay Laker,
Sarangani, Davao Occidental. Not only is it recognized for its white-sand beach
front but it is also lined with coconut trees. Another recognized tourist site is the
Olanivan Islet located in Barangay Patuco, Sarangani, Davao Occidental. With a
land area of around twenty-four (24) hectares, this oval-shaped little island is a
must-go place of tourists for its pink sand brought about by crushed red corals
that have washed ashore.

Tourists also can peacefully meditate and unwind in the Islet as they can
experience privacy at its fullest being that it is mostly uninhabited. In the island
of Balut, sites that are quite popular among local tourists can be enjoyed. One
of those is the Sabang Hot Spring located in Sitio Sabang, Barangay Lipol,
Sarangani, Davao Occidental. With a vibrant turquoise pool, tourists travel to
witness firsthand the boiling hot spring where the temperature can reach as hot
as 80 degrees Celsius (80°C). Another unexplored site in the island of Balut is
Kalsuso, also known as the Gomtago Peak located in Barangay Gomtago,
Sarangani, Davao Occidental. From its highest vantage point, mountaineers can
actually see the remote islands of Indonesia (Marure Island). What’s more is that
this site is surrounded by towering trees fully covered by vines and air plants


These tourist sites are just some of the hidden treasures of the Island
Paradise in the Municipality of Sarangani. Consequently, the passage of this bill
would unveil the beauty of the island not only to the domestic but also
international tourists. The development of these eco-tourism sites would
immensely contribute and assist the municipality to increase its revenue,
generate employment opportunities, and skills development for its residents as
well as create business opportunities for them through the advancement of the
tourism industry in the area.

The moment the Island Municipality of Sarangani would be declared as an
eco-tourism zone, the implementation of the provisions of this bill will eventually
be the turning point for the improvement of the lives of the Saranganians.
Eventually, when this bill is passed and has reached its optimum
implementation, the local government unit of Sarangani would become self-
sustaining and would be able to assist in increasing the revenue of the
Philippines and thus afford to help other local government units in the country.

In view of the foregoing, the passage of this bill is earnestly sought.

Cc P. BAUTISTA


Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Quezon City

NINETEENTH CONGRESS
First Regular Session

HOUSE BILL No. 2488

Introduced by: HON. CLAUDE P. BAUTISTA

AN ACT DECLARING THE ISLAND-MUNICIPALITY OF
SARANGANI, PROVINCE OF DAVAO OCCIDENTAL AN
ECOTOURISM ZONE 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 the "Island-
Municipality of Sarangani Ecotourism Act.”

SECTION 2. Declaration of Policy. It is hereby declared the policy of the
State to promote a tourism industry that is ecologically sustainable, responsible,
participative, culturally sensitive, economically viable and equitably beneficial to
local communities.

SECTION 3. Municipality of Sarangani as an Eco-Tourism Zone. The
Island Municipality of Sarangani, Province of Davao Occidental is hereby
declared as an ecotourism zone. The development of the eco-tourism sites in the
Municipality shall be prioritized by the Department of Tourism (DOT) and shall
be subject to the rules and regulations governing the development of ecotourism
sites.

The DOT shall prepare and incorporate the development plan for the Island
Municipality of Sarangani in the overall National Tourism Development Plan
(NTDP), pursuant to Republic Act No. 9593, otherwise known as "The Tourism
Act of 2009". The plan shall be implemented jointly with the Local Government
of the Municipality of Sarangani, Davao Occidental Provincial Tourism Culture
and Council, the Provincial Government of Davao Occidental and the Tourism
Infrastructure and Enterprise Zone Authority (TIEZA).

The DOT, in coordination with the Municipality of Sarangani, Davao
Occidental Provincial Tourism Culture & Arts Council, the Provincial
Government of Davao Occidental and the TIEZA and other concerned agencies


of the government shall assist in the development, promotion and the
preservation of the following eco-tourism sites in the municipality, to wit:

(a) Bulaye Beach located in Barangay Laker, Sarangani, Davao
Occidental;

(b) Bubu Beach located in Barangay Laker, Sarangani, Davao
Occidental;

(c) Tuke Maklang located in Barangay Laker, Sarangani, Davao
Occidental ;

(d) Marorong Islet located in Sitio Kaimba, Barangay Mabila,
Sarangani, Davao Occidental;

(e) Tuke Nonsol located in Sitio Tinarubo, Barangay Camalig,
Sarangani, Davao Occidental;

() Maluko Beach located in Sitio Maluko, Barangay Laker,
Sarangani, Davao Occidental;

(g) Ubas Beach located in Sitio Ubas, Barangay Patuco, Sarangani,
Davao Occidental;

(h) Olanivan Islet located in Barangay Patuco, Sarangani, Davao
Occidental ;

() Sabang Hot Spring located in Sitio Sabang, Barangay Lipol,
Sarangani, Davao Occidental;

(j) Kakayi Beach located in Barangay Camalig, Sarangani, Davao
Occidental ;

(k)Turang Beach located in Barangay Camalig, Sarangani, Davao
Occidental;

() Mangahos Beach located in Barangay Camalig, Sarangani, Davao
Occidental;

(m) Pacao Beach located in Barangay Laker, Sarangani, Davao
Occidental;.

(n) Kalsuso (Gomtago Peak) located in Barangay Gomtago,
Sarangani, Davao Occidental; and

(0) all other geographic areas within the Island Municipality of
Sarangani which may be eventually identified and recommended as eco-
tourism sites by the above-mentioned government agencies provided that
such recommendation must be approved by the Local Government Unit of
the Municipality of Sarangani.

SECTION 4, Guidelines for the development of the eco-tourism sites
in the Municipality. For the development of the eco-tourism sites in the area,


(a) The development of the areas must give utmost consideration for the
optimum utilization of its natural assets and attractions, as well as
existing infrastructure and facilities; Provided, that the development
shall ensure the preservation of the scenery and the historic
significance of the eco-tourism sites. Provided further, that the
development of the areas and the policies to be formulated relevant
thereto must be consistent with the practice of a sustainable and
responsible ecotourism;

(b) The development of these areas must afford opportunities for
employment and livelihood for the local residents of the Municipality,
in keeping with the preservation and maintenance of the natural
resources of the area; and

(c) The development of these areas shall be subject to the rules and
regulations regarding the maintenance and protection of the
ecotourism sites as may be formulated by the Local Government Unit,
in coordination with the Department of Environment and Natural
Resources (DENR) and the DOT, as well as the relevant regional offices
of the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE), Department of
Public Works and Highways (DPWH), Department of Transportation
(DOTr), Department of Agriculture (DA), Department of Education
(DepEd), Department of Trade and Industry (DTI), Department of the
Interior and Local Government (DILG), Philippine National Police (PNP),
Maritime Industry Authority (MARINA) and other line-agencies of the
government concerned necessary to carry out the provisions of this Act.

SECTION 5. Coordination with other Government Agencies. Within
sixty (60) days after the effectivity of this Act, the Secretary of the DOT, in
consultation with the Local Government of the Municipality of Sarangani, Davao
Occidental Provincial Tourism Culture & Arts Council, the Provincial
Government of Davao Occidental, the TIEZA and other tourism stakeholders,
shall promulgate the necessary rules and regulations for the proper
implementation of this Act.

SECTION 5. 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 internally generated funds of the
DOT.

SECTION 6. Repealing Clause. All laws, executive orders, presidential
decrees, rules and regulations and other issuances contrary to or inconsistent
with this Act shall be deemed repealed or modified accordingly.

SECTION 7. Effectivity. This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after
its publication in the Official Gazette or in a newspaper of general circulation.

Approved,