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HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Quezon City

TWENTIETH CONGRESS
First Regular Session

House Bill No,_ 529

Introduced by Representative Reynante U. Arrogancia

EXPLANATORY NOTE

The Philippine Statistics Authority has reported that in 2024, the contribution of
Tourism Direct Gross Value Added (TDGVA) to the Philippine economy is estimated at 8.9
percent. The same report stated that TDGVA is higher by 11.2 percent in 2024, amounting to
2.35 trillion in 2024 compared with the 2.12 trillion in 2023.'

The tourism industry in the Philippines was clearly one of the major drives of
economic growth in the country prior to the onslaught of the Covid-19 pandemic. This is an
industry that needs support on its road (o recovery. The institutionalizing of programs and
policies that would protect the welfare of all tourists and assure their safety can help the growth
and recovery of the industry. It is therefore necessary that personnel of tourism establishments,
tourism-oriented organizations and individuals providing tourism-related services possess the
necessary skills to respond to emergency health situations. This could serve as one of the key
factors promoting the tourism industry on its path to recovery.

With all of these taken into consideration, this bill has been filed to respond in
institutionalizing a responsive program towards sustainable tourism that would protect our
tourists and strengthen our tourism industry. A similar bill has been filed in previous
Congresses, and it is hoped that in the 20" Congress this bill will finally become a law.

In view of the foregoing, this representation seeks approval of this bill.

REYNANTI GANCIA

* Phiippine Stausies Authonty ~ Pilipine Tourism Satellite Account Retneved fom htps.ipa gov pistatistieshourism


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Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Quezon City

TWENTIETH CONGRESS
First Regular Session

House Bill No. 529

Introduced by Representative Reynante U. Arrogancia

AN ACT
REQUIRING PERSONNEL OF TOURISM ORIENTED ORGANIZATIONS AND
ESTABLISHMENTS INCLUDING PERSONS PROVIDING TOURISM-RELATED
SERVICES TO UNDERGO BASIC FIRST AID TRAINING

Be it enacted by the Senate and the House of Representatives of the Philippines in Congress
assembled:

SECTION 1. Short Title. — This Act shall be known as the “Tourist Safety Act.”

SEC. 2. Declaration of Policy. - The State recognizes tourism as instrumental to the
development of the national economy and an industry of national interest and significance.
Towards this end, the State shall guarantee the promotion of sustainable tourism and the safety
of tourists in the country by ensuring that the personnel in tourism-related services are
equipped with the skills and training to achieve these objectives.

“Tourism-related services” refers to services rendered to cater to the needs of tourists which
include services provided by hotels, restaurants, travel agencies, tour operators, tour guide
services, water recreational or sports activities, and all other entities providing similar or related
services.

SEC. 3. First Aid Training Requirement, — Personnel of tourism establishments, tourism-
oriented organizations, and all other persons providing tourism-related services are mandated
to undergo basic first aid training provided by the Philippine Red Cross (PRC) or other
‘government accredited and reputable training institutions that shall issue appropriate trai
certificate for this purpose.

SEC. 4. First Aid Kits. - All tourism establishments, tourism-oriented organizations and all
other persons providing tourism-related services shall be equipped with first aid kits.

SEC. 8. Role of Local Government Units (LGUs). — In order to ensure compliance with the
provisions of the Act, the concerned LGUs shall require all establishments providing tourism-
related services within their respective jurisdictions to submit a sworn statement attesting that


the current roster of personnel have undergone basic first aid training upon application for the
issuance of business permits.

‘The LGUs shall conduct periodic inspection for the compliance of Section 4 of this Act. The
concerned LGUs shall register and maintain a roster of personnel of tourism-oriented
organizations and all other persons providing tourism-related services. It shall likewise
coordinate with the PRC or other accredited and reputable training institutions providing first
aid training for these personnel.

SEC. 6. Implementing Rules and Regulations. ~ \f any provision of this Act shall be declared
unconstitutional or invalid, the other provisions not affected thereby shall remain in full force
and effect.

SEC. 7. Separability Clause. If any provision of this Act shall be declared unconstitutional
or invalid, the other provisions not affected thereby shall remain in full force and effect.

SEC. 8. Repealing Clause, - All laws, rules, regulations, executive orders, presidential
decrees and other issuances inconsistent with any of the provisions of this Act are hereby

deemed repealed or amended accordingly.

SEC. 9. Effectivity. - This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after its publication in the
Official Gazette or in a newspaper of general circulation

Approved,