Republic of the Philippines 
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES 
Quezon City, Metro Manila 
TWENTIETH CONGRESS 
First Regular Session 
HOUSE BILL NO. 879 
_______________________________________________________________________ 
Introduced by Representative REYNOLDS MICHAEL T. TAN 
___________________________________________________________________________ 
EXPLANATORY NOTE 
This bill seeks to declare Lulugayan Falls and Ecovillage as an 
ecotourism site in the Municipality of Calbiga, Province of Samar. 
The Lulugayan Falls in the Municipality of Calbiga, Province of Samar 
is one of the most sought tourist destinations in the Province of Samar 
because of its beautiful waterfall cascades and refreshing water. Lulugayan 
Falls is even often dubbed as the mini-Niagara Falls and is considered as 
Samar’s most popular waterfalls. 
Lulugayan Falls is located fourteen (14) kilometers from the center of 
the town of Calbiga. It is one of the widest waterfalls in the Philippines with a 
span of about fifty (50) meters in width. Lulugayan Falls’ highest drop is about 
thirty (30) meters. The breathtakingly beautiful waterfall cascades and the 
thorough water drops make Lulugayan Falls an exceptional waterfall. 
The declaration of Lulugayan Falls as an ecotourism site will not only 
result to the development and improvement of the tourist site but will likewise 
help in the furtherance of socio-economic development in the local 
communities as well as in the whole country. 
As embodied in the 1987 Philippine Constitution, the State shall protect 
and advance the right of the people to a balanced and healthful ecology in 
accord with the rhythm and harmony of nature. In light of all this, the 
immediate passage of this bill is earnestly sought. 
   REYNOLDS MICHAEL T. TAN 
Second District, Samar 
July 1, 2025
2:36 pm


Republic of the Philippines 
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES 
Quezon City, Metro Manila 
TWENTIETH CONGRESS 
First Regular Session 
HOUSE BILL NO. 879 
___________________________________________________________________________ 
Introduced by Representative REYNOLDS MICHAEL T. TAN 
___________________________________________________________________________ 
AN ACT 
DECLARING LULUGAYAN FALLS AND ECOVILLAGE IN THE 
MUNICIPALITY OF CALBIGA, PROVINCE OF SAMAR 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 “Lulugayan Falls and 
Ecovillage Ecotourism Act.” 
SECTION 2. Declaration of Policy – The 1987 Philippine Constitution 
mandates that the State shall protect and advance the right of the people to 
a balanced and healthful ecology in accord with the rhythm and harmony of 
nature. 
Accordingly, it is hereby declared the policy of the State to promote an 
ecologically-sustainable and effective tourist industry that will enhance 
environmental preservation and support socio-economic development.  
SECTION 3. The Lulugayan Falls Ecotourism Site. The Lulugayan Falls in 
the Municipality of Calbiga, Province of Samar is hereby declared as an 
ecotourism site. Its development 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, in coordination with the concerned local government units as 
well as with the other concerned government agencies, shall prepare a 
tourism development plan for Lulugayan Falls which shall be incorporated in 
the overall National Tourism Development Plan (NTDP), pursuant to Republic 
Act No. 9593, otherwise known as “The Tourism Act of 2009”, and which shall 
also include the construction and maintenance of infrastructure and facilities 


in the area; Provided, That the development plan shall ensure the preservation 
and conservation of the scenery and resources of the area. 
 
SECTION 4. Implementing Rules and Regulations. Within sixty (60) days 
after the effectivity of this Act, the Secretary of the DOT, in consultation with 
the concerned local government units, the Tourism Infrastructure and 
Enterprise Zone Authority (TIEZA) and other agencies, shall promulgate the 
necessary rules and regulations for the effective implementation if this Act. 
 
SECTION 5. Appropriations. 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, rule, regulations, proclamations, 
executive orders of parts thereof inconsistent with this Act are hereby deemed 
repealed or amended 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,