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BillHBN-292820th Congress

Municipality of San Fernando, Province of Romblon, a Tourism Development Area

In committee Filed May 6, 2026
◷ Where it standsIn Committee
FiledCommittee2nd Reading3rd ReadingBicamEnacted

Filed on May 6, 2026, and approved on third reading by the House of Representatives on May 5, 2026. It is currently pending in the Senate, having been referred to the Committees on Tourism, Environment, Natural Resources and Climate Change, and Finance on May 19, 2026.

Should you care?
Relevance to you
Moderate

The bill aims to boost local tourism, which can have economic benefits for the community.

TouristsLocal governmentDepartment of TourismCommunity members
Timeliness
Timely

The bill addresses the need for structured tourism development in San Fernando, which is timely given the growing interest in local tourism post-pandemic.

Affects you ifTourism operatorsLocal business ownersVisitors to San FernandoResidents of San Fernando
Impact assessment
AI read — verify with source
Overall impact
2.3/ 10
Long title

Municipality of San Fernando, Province of Romblon, a Tourism Development Area

Plain-language summary
AI Summary

This bill declares the Municipality of San Fernando in Romblon as a Tourism Development Area (TDA), aiming to enhance tourism through the development of specific natural and historical sites.

What this bill actually requires
RequiresThe Municipal Government of San Fernando must prepare a tourism development plan within one year after the approval of this Act.
RequiresThe Municipal Government must promulgate rules and regulations to implement this Act within sixty days from its effectivity.
FundsFunding for the implementation of this Act shall be included in the annual budget of the Municipal Government of San Fernando.
FundsThe Department of Tourism (DOT) may augment the budget with internally generated funds.
DeadlineOne year after the approval of this Act for the tourism development plan.
DeadlineSixty days from the effectivity of this Act for promulgating rules and regulations.
ⓘ AI-generated — verify with the source.↗ Official Senate PDF
What changes from current law

Compared with current law:

Today

San Fernando lacks a formal tourism development framework.

This bill

Establishes a structured tourism development area to enhance local tourism.

Today

Tourism sites are not prioritized for development.

This bill

Prioritizes development of specific scenic and historical sites.

ⓘ AI-generated comparison — verify against the bill and the cited law.
Ask this bill

The Tourism Development Area includes Cresta de Gallo Island, Bontangigue Reef Marine Sanctuary, Lamao Lake, Cantingas River Resort, and several waterfalls and historical sites.

Source · full text
Issue areas
HealthLocal GovernmentFinance & BudgetLocal GovernmentSan FernandoRomblonTourism DevelopmentDepartment of Tourism

✦ Dashed tags are AI-suggested nuance; solid tags follow the committee taxonomy.

Legislative history
May 6, 2026Senate
Introduced by Representatives ELEANDRO JESUS F. MADRONA, JUNARD "AHONG" Q. CHAN, ROSALIE ANG SALVAME, ROMMEL RICO T. ANGARA, JOSE C. ALVAREZ, ELISA "OLGA" T. KHO, et. al.;
May 6, 2026Senate
Approved on Third Reading by the House of Representatives on May 5, 2026;
May 6, 2026Senate
Sent to the Senate requesting for concurrence;
May 19, 2026Senate
Read on First Reading and Referred to the Committees on TOURISM; ENVIRONMENT, NATURAL RESOURCES AND CLIMATE CHANGE and FINANCE;
✦ AI insight

Fast-tracked: the bill was approved on third reading in the House just one day before it was filed, indicating strong support. It has been in the Senate committee stage since May 19, 2026, with no recorded action since then.

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Floor activity

No floor deliberations yet — this measure has not reached plenary. Its committee-stage actions appear under Legislative history above.

Full text
HBN-2928 — verbatim textAs filed

CONGRESS OF THE PHILIPPINES TWENTIETH CONGRESS First Regular Session HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES H. No. 2928 BY REPRESENTATIVES MADRONA, CHAN (J.), SALVAME, ANGARA, ALVAREZ (J.), KHO (E.), TUAN, MIRAFLORES, HORIBATA, YAP (J.G.), AGYAO, ALANO, DALOG, MOMO, SINGSON CALDERON, YNARES, CORVERA, REGENCIA, CASTRO, GONZALES (A.M.), TUPAS, PLEYTO, BANCORO, RODRIGUEZ (E.), BELTRAN, DAZA, DEL MAR, GUINTU, BARBA, CAGAS, CAYTON, COLLANTES, ROMAN, ROQUE, UMALI AND SUAN AN ACT DECLARING THE MUNICIPALITY OF SAN FERNANDO, PROVINCE OF ROMBLON, A TOURISM DEVELOPMENT AREA Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the Philippines in Congress assembled:

SECTION 1. The Municipality of San Fernando, Province of Romblon, is hereby

declared a tourism development area (TDA).

SEC. 2. The San Femando TDA hereby includes the following areas within the

municipality, which are endowed with scenic landscapes and natural attractions, rich biodiversity, and historical significance: (a) Cresta de Gallo Island and Marine Sanctuary; (b) Bontangigue Reef Marine Sanctuary; (c) Lamao Lake; (d) Cantingas River Resort; (e) Busay Falls; (f) Bila-Bila Falls; (g) Lagting Falls;

(h) Dagubdub Falls; (i) Kweba Falls; 0) Panas Falls; (k) Olango Trail of Mt. Guiting-Guiting; (l) Punta Cauit Lighthouse; (m) Casa del San Fernando; and (n) Immediate environs of Nuestra Senora de Candelaria Church. Pursuant thereto, the development of these areas shall be prioritized and supported by the Department of Tourism (DOT), subject to the rules and regulations governing the development of tourism destinations.

SEC. 3. Within one (I) year after the approval of this Act, the Municipal Government

of San Fernando shall, in coordination with the DOT, Department of Environment and Natural Resources, and concerned agencies of the government, prepare a tourism development plan that shall include the construction, installation, and maintenance of such appropriate infrastructure and facilities to enhance tourism in the Municipality of San Fernando, particularly in identified areas for tourism development: Provided, That said development plan shall ensure the preservation and conservation of the natural beauty and resources of the areas: Provided, further, That the implementation of the tourism development plan shall be included in the budget of the Municipal Government of San Fernando.

SEC. 4. The DOT shall assist the Municipal Government of San Fernando in the

implementation of the tourism development plan by providing technical assistance in tourism capacity building. It shall also include the Municipality of San Fernando in its national and regional promotion programs.

SEC. 5. The funding for the implementation of this Act shall be included in the annual budget

of the Municipal Government of San Fernando. The DOT may augment such allocation with internally generated funds.

SEC. 6. Within sixty (60) days from

the effectivity of this Act, the Municipal Government of San Fernando shail, in consultation with the DOT and concerned agencies of the government, promulgate rules and regulations to implement this Act.

SEC. 7. All laws, rules,

regulations, presidential decrees, and other issuances inconsistent with any of the provisions of this Act are hereby deemed repealed or amended accordingly.

SEC. 8. This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after its publication in the Official

Gazette or in a newspaper of general circulation. Approved,

Reproduced from the Senate document. The official PDF is the authoritative version.