Republic of the Philippines 
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES 
Quezon City, Metro Manila 
NINETEENTH CONGRESS 
Second Regular Session 
House Bill No. ----
Introduced by Hon. James "Jojo" Ang Jr. 
EXPLANATORY NOTE 
The travel and tourism sector remains one of the largest economic sectors in 
the Philippines. It continues to create jobs, drive exports, and generate income for the 
country. 
According to the latest report from the World Travel and Tourism Council 
(WTTC), the travel and tourism sector contributed a total of Php 3.5 trillion to the 
Philippine economy, accounting for about twenty-one percent (21%) of the country's 
Gross Domestic Product (GDP). The travel and tourism sector also directly supported 
some 2.3 million jobs or about 5.8 % of employment last year. This figure is expected 
to rise to 2.6% or 3.2 million jobs in 2028. 
The Western Visayas Tourist Arrival Data from the Department of Tourism 
Region IV shows that a total of 5.9 million tourists visited the region in 2017 and spent 
a total of Php 128.46 billion in terms of tourist receipts. Of this number of tourists, the 
Province of lloilo hosted around 1.3 million tourists in 2017. 
Pursuant to the policy of the State to promote a sustainable tourism industry 
throughout the country, this bill seeks to declare the Sicogon Island in the Municipality 
of Carles, Province of lloilo into a tourist destination, generating investments and 
creating job opportunities, and protecting the natural resources in the area. 
Sicogon Island is one of the smaller islands in the northeastern tip of the 
Province of lloilo. It became a popular tourist destination during the 1970s and the · 
1980s. At present, Sicogon Island is touted as the newest tourism hub and gateway 
of Western Visayas. 
In view of the foregoing the immediate consideration and pas 
earnestly sought. 
J 
September 6, 2023
6:36 pm
9074


Republic of the Philippines 
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES 
Quezon City, Metro Manila 
NINETEENTH CONGRESS 
Second Regular Session 
House Bill No. ----
Introduced by Hon. James "Jojo" Ang Jr. 
AN ACT DECLARING THE SICOGON ISLAND 
IN THE MUNICIPALITY OF CARLES, PROVINCE OF ILOILO, 
AS AN ECOTOURISM ZONE ANO APPROPRIATING FUNDS THEREFOR 
Be it enacted by the Senate and the House of Representatives of the Philippines in 
Congress assembled: 
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Section 1. Short Title. - This Act shall be known as the "Sicogon Island Ecotourism 
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Zone Act". 
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Section 2. Declaration of Policy. - It is hereby declared the policy of the State to 
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promote a tourism industry that is ecologically sustainable, responsible, participative, 
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culturally sensitive, economically viable, and equitably beneficial to local communities. 
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Section 3. Ecotourism Site. - The Sicogon Island consisting of three barangays, 
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namely: Alipata, Buaya, and San Fernando located in the Municipality of Carles, 
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Province of lloilo, is hereby declared as an ecotourism zone, to be known as the 
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Sicogon Island Ecotourism Zone. As such, its development shall be prioritized by the 
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Department of Tourism (DOT) and shall be subject to rules and regulations governing 
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the development of ecotourism zones. 
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Section 4. Ecotourism Development Plan. - The DOT shall prepare the 
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development for the Sicogon Island and shall incorporate the same in the National 
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Tourism Development Plan. The plan shall be implemented jointly with the Municipality 
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of Carles, the Department if Environment and Natural Resources (DENR), and the 
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Tourism Infrastructure and Enterprise Zone Authority (TIEZA). 
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The DOT, in coordination with the Municipality of Carles, the DENR, TIEZA, 
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and other concerned agencies of the government, shall delineate well-defined 
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geographic areas within the Sicogon Island Ecotourism Zone, and coordinate the 
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integrated development of the area for the optimum use of natural assets and 
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attractions. The development shall ensure the preservation of the flora and fauna, and 
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perpetuate the historic significance of the identified tourist attractions. 
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