Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF THE REPRESENTATIVES
Quezon City

SEVENTEENTH CONGRESS
Second Regular Session
7517

HOUSE BILL No.

Introduced by HON. MANUEL F. ZUBIRI

EXPLANATORY NOTE

Bukidnon is known as the “Food Basket of Mindanao’. It is also known as the “Highland
Paradise in the Heart of Mindanao”, and sometimes also the “Rolling Uplands Plateau”
Despite these enticing names and titles which describe the province's abundance of natural
resources and favorable topography, it has often been overlooked in terms of tourism
development. Though it has much to offer, Bukidnon remains one of the poorer provinces in
the Philippines.

It is high time the government invests in developing Bukidnon into something more
palatable for the tourists. The province is typhoon-free and cold and is home to the
Philippine Eagle and the rafflesia. It has an abundance of ecotourism zones waiting to be
developed, such as the Pulangi River, Musuan Peak, Maramag Falls, Adtuyan Plateau, the
Waig Crystal Spring, Lake Pinamaloy, Sinangguhan and Kahulugan Falls, the Linking
Caves and Spring, the Kiokong Tourism Park and much more. The list is not exhaustive
and includes just the third district; there is much, much more Bukidnon can offer as a
collective.

Tourism is an efficient way of generating revenue for the province as local businesses and
craftsmen will flourish while the tourists are given a genuine experience of Bukidnon and all
its beauty. It may help solve the problem of poverty by generating jobs and income for the
area. Best of all, it will only require a Development Couftcil which will not create extra
offices and incur additional expenses.

In lieu of the abovementioned, the pa:


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Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Quezon City

SEVENTEENTH CONGRESS
Second Regular Session

7517

HOUSE BILL NO.
Introduced by Representative HON. MANUEL F. ZUBIRI

AN ACT DECLARING THE PROVINCE OF BUKIDNON A TOURISM DEVELOPMENT
AREA (TDA), CREATING THE BUKIDNON PROVINCIAL TOURISM COUNCIL 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 “Bukidnon Tourism
Development Area (TDA) Act.”

SECTION 2. Declaration of Policy — It is 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. Scope and Coverage. - The Bukidnon TDA shall cover all its
municipalities, but shall ask for the consent of the indigenous peoples if development shall
be undertaken in ancestral domains and ancestral lands.

As such, the development of Bukidnon shall be prioritized by the Department of Tourism
(DOT) and shall be subject to the rules and regulations governing the development of
tourism development areas.

SECTION 4. Tourism Development Plan. - The Tourism Development Plan for the
Province of Bukidnon shall be incorporated in the DOT's overall National tourism
Development Plan (NTDP) pursuant to Republic Act No. 9593, otherwise known as “The
Tourism Act of 2009", and shall be jointly implemented with the local government units
concerned and the Provincial Tourism Council of Bukidnon, taking into consideration
Republic Act No. 7586, otherwise known as the “National Integrated Protected Areas
System Act of 1992", and its implementing rules and regulations.

The DOT, in coordination with the Tourism Infrastructure and Enterprise Zone
Authority (TIEZA), the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR), and
other concerned agencies of government, shall delineate well-defined geographical areas
within the Bukidnon TDA and coordinate the integrated development of these areas for the
optimum use of natural assets and attractions, as well as existing facilities.

The Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH), in coordination with the
DOT and the Bukidnon Provincial Tourism Council, shall set in place the necessary
construction and improvement of roads and other infrastructure upon the promulgation of
this Act and incorporate the same in its infrastructure program.

SECTION 5. Bukidnon Tourism Council. - The Provincial Governor of Bukidnon
shall create a Provincial Tourism Council, hereinafter referred to as the “Council’, which
shall be composed of government and private sector representatives.

The Council shall have the following:

(a) Formulate programs and recommendations to develop local tourism facilities and
attractions tapping local resources and funds;

(b) Assist in the regulation and supervision of tourism-oriented establishments thereby
ensuring wholesome and clean tourism activities;


(c) Assist in monitoring the implementation of the Local Government Code on the
matter of licensing of tourism establishments in the locality to ascertain safe and
enjoyable stay of travelers;

(d) Strictly enforce sanitary standard in public restrooms frequented by constituents and
tourists and those frequented by public utility vehicles and tourist transport services,
ie. gasoline stations, restaurants along main highways, and bus stops; and

(e) Perform other duties in accordance with the Department of the Interior and Local
Government's (DILG) Guidelines.

The Provincial Government of Bukidnon shall provide a Secretariat for the Council,
including the necessary expenses for the performance of its official functions and
activities.

SECTION 6. Bukidnon Tourism Development Trust Fund. — There is hereby
established a trust fund under this Act to be known as the Bukidnon Tourism Development
Trust Fund, for the purpose of financing projects which shall enhance tourism in the
province. The Trust Fund shall be administered by a Trust Fund Administrator under the
Provincial Tourism Office of Bukidnon. Funds shall be derived from fees collected from
visitors/tourists, other resources from the province, proceeds from registration and lease of
multiple-use areas, including tourism concessions, fees, proceeds and contributions from
industries and facilities directly benefitting the province.

The Trust Fund may be augmented by grants and donations, endowments from
various sources, domestic or foreign entities and individuals, for purposes related to their
functions: Provided, That disbursements therefrom shall be in accordance with existing
accounting and auditing rules and regulations: Provided, further, That the Trust Fund shall
not be used to cover personnel services expenditures.

SECTION 7. Appropriations. - The Secretaries of the DOT, DENR, and DPWH shall
include in their respective Department's programs the implementation of the Bukidnon
Tourism Development Plan, the funding of which shall be included in the annual General
Appropriations Act and from internally generated funds of the DOT.

SECTION 8. Repealing Clause. - All laws, parts of laws, decrees, presidential
issuances, proclamations, orders, ordinances, and administrative regulations in conflict with
the provisions of this Act are hereby amended, modified or repealed accordingly.

SECTION 9. Separability Clause. — If any provision of this law or the application
thereof to any person or circumstance is held invalid, the remainder of this law, or the
application of such provision or part to other persons or circumstances, shall not be affected
thereby.

SECTION 10. Effectivity Clause. - This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after
its publication in the Official Gazette or in at least two (2) newspapers of general circulation

Approved,