THBTEENTH CONGRESS OF THE 
First Regular Session 
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES 
*> 34 ,j$ 3f) P 6  25 
S. No. 
INTRODUCED BY HON. MANUEL B, 
VILLAR, JR. 
EXPLANATORY NOTE 
Our country's archipelagic character has endowed us with a wide array of tourism 
attractions ranging from majestic volcanoes, lush tropical forests, breath-taking waterfalls, 
magnificent seascapes, spectacular coral reef formations, and many other rare attractions 
endemic only in the Philippines. 
This, however, should not blind us from the alarming state of degradation of our 
environment and our people's cultural traditions. Side by side with tourism growth, our forests 
are being denuded at the rate of 25 hectares per hour. Only an estimated 119,000 has. of our 
country's mangrove forests remain. Of the 423 rivers being monitored by the government, about 
half are already polluted, 40 of which are declared biologically dead. Erosion of the cultural 
traditions go unabated as more members of our indigenous cultural communities are tempted into 
cultivating marijuana in their ancestral lands for livelihood. 
The great irony of having tourism growth rate but getting as well a damaged environment 
is a major problem that this measure seeks to address. The bill proposes an ecotourism policy 
that would lay down a tourism framework based on a well-crafted balance between economic 
growth and environmental protection. It creates a National Ecotourism Commission which shall 
formulate and implement an Ecotourism Masterplan with the assistance of the Department of 
Tourism and the Department of Environment and Natural Resources. The bill also proposes a 
network of ecotourism sites which would be included in the Integrated Protected Areas .System 
under R.A. No. 7586. 
Given importance in this measure is the role of the local communities including the 
indigenous cultural communities as stewards of the environment in their respective localities. By 
doing so, it is hoped that they shall also benefit from the profits generated from ecotourism 
activities. 
The richness of our resources could only be optimally utilized if they are best protected. 
Tourism would yield the most profits if it ensures the primary of the environment and the 
preservation of the culture of our people. It is but time that we reorient our tourism goals to a 
low-impact and sustainable type of tourism before nothing else would be left to us. 
Approval of the bill is therefore earnestly sought, 
MANUEL B. V LLAR, JR. 
t 


THIRTEENTH CONGRESS OF THE 
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES 
First Regular Session 
'I,. 
~~~~~~~~~ 
BY : 
SENATE 
S. No. 
INTRODUCED 
BY HON. MANUEL B. VILLAR, JR. 
AN ACT PROVIDING FOR A NATIONAL ECOTOURISM POLICY, ESTABLISHING 
A FRAMEWORK FOR ITS INSTITUTIONALIZATION, CREATING MECHANISM 
FOR ITS IMPLEMENTATION AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES 
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of Philippines in Congress 
assembled: 
SECTION 1. Short Title. - This Act shall be known as the "National Ecotourism Policy 
Act of 2004." 
SEC. 2. Declaration of Policy. - It is declared the policy of the State to: 
a. Ensure the right of the people to a balanced and healthful ecology through the promotion 
of activities geared towards environmental protection and conservation; 
b. Establish a framework for the utilization of natural sites for tourism purposes ensuring a 
balance between' economic development and resource enhancement; 
c. Enpourage non-government organizations, people's organizations and the private sector 
to take the lead in initiating programs for tourism development and environmental protection; 
and 
d. Enlist the participation of local communities including the indigenous peoples by 
providing them the necessary assistance in the determination of ecotourism sites and ensuring 
their right to the full enjoyment of the benefits thereoc 
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SEC. 3. Network of Ecotourism Sites. - There are hereby identified areas which shall 
comprise the network of ecotourism sites established under this Act. The sites shall include, but 
not be limited to, areas within the Integrated Protected Areas System as identified under 
Republic Act No. 7586, and; other areas with significant and relevant cultural heritage to be 
identified by the Commission; hereinafter created. 
SEC. 
4. 
National Ecotourism Commission. - There is hereby created a National 
Ecotourism Commission to be composed .of one representative each from accredited non- 
government organizations and people's organizations engaged in ecotourism, one recognized 
indigenous people's federation, reputable travel organizations, the academe and the organization 
representing the local government chief executives. 
The Commission shall be headed by a Chairman who must have a minimum of seven (7) 
years of experience in ecotourkm activities and environmental protection. The Chairman and t e 
members of the Cornmission shall be appointed by the President or a term of a five (5) years, 
renewable for one term. 


The Department of Tourism and (DOT) the Department of Environment and Natural 
Resources (DENR) shall assist the Commission in its task of pursuing the objectives established 
in this Act. 
SEC. 
5. Functions and Responsibilities of the Commission The Commission shall be 
responsible for the following: 
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a. Review and, from time to time, update the existing Ecotourism Masterplan and supervise 
the implementation of the corresponding programs and activities therein; 
b. Assess and evaluate the potential impact of development to the environmental integrity 
of areas to be included in the Network of Ecotourism Sites through the conduct of 
Environmental Impact Assessments under Presidential Decree No. 1586 and its implementing 
rules and regulations; 
c. Conduct consultations with the local population to be affected by ecotourism 
development to integrate their cultural values and beliefs in ecotourism plans and programs 
which may be formulated through their own initiative; 
d. Provide technical and financial assistance to communities which are included in the 
network of ecotourism sites established under this Act; 
e. Formulate rules and regulations which shall prohibit poaching activities, collection of 
wildlife species and the purchase of authentic cultural and anthropological possessions and 
artifacts and other activities which unnecessarily utilize forest and aquatic resources in identified 
ecotourism sites; and 
f. Perform such other activities as may be necessary to carry out the objectives of this Act. 
SEC. 6. Role of Local Communities. - The local communities as well as the indigenous 
communities to be affected by the development of ecotourism sites shall actively participate in 
the formulation of ecotourism plans with the assistance of the Commission. They. may declare 
their own localities as part or included in the network of ecotourism sites. 
The local communities shall directly receive the proceeds of ecotourism activities in their 
respective areas as well as the preference in the employment opportunities that will be generated 
therefrom; Provided, that the local communities shall set aside a portion of the aforementioned 
proceeds sufficient to provide for the protection and conservation of the environment in the 
ecotourism site. 
SEC. 7. Codes of Ecotourism Practice and Ethics. - The Commission shall formulate a 
Code of Ecotourism Practice and Ethics six (6) months after the approval of this Act, after a 
series of consultations with the concerned and affected sectors of the tourism industry as well as 
the affected communities and indigenous peoples. 
SEC. 8. Ecotourism Fund. - To carry out the purposes of this Act, there shall.be.created 
a-special fbnd called the Ecotourism Fund which shall be sourced from' at least twenty percent 
(20%) of the gross receipts of the Travel Tax of the 'preceding year and such other sources or 
savings as the government may deem appropriate. 
SEC. 9. Appropriations. - Such amount as may be necessary to defray the expenses of the 
Commission in the implementation of this Act shall be appropriated in the current General 
Appropriations Act. Thereafter, the amount shall be regularly sourced from the General 
Appropriations Act. 
SEC. 10. Separability Clause. - If any portion of this Act ip declared unconstitutional or 
invalid, any provision not affected thereby shall remain in full force and effect. 


Approved,