Municipality of Columbio (Sultan Kudarat) a Tourism Development Area

CONGRESS OF THE PHILIPPINES TWENTIETH CONGRESS First Regular Session HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES H. No. 8562 BY REPRESENTATIVES SAKALURAN, MADRONA, CHAN (J.), SALVAME, ANGARA, ALVAREZ (J.), KHO (E.), TUAN, MIRAFLORES, HORIBATA, YAP (J.G.), AGYAO, ALANO, DALOG, MOMO, SINGSON (R.V.), 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 COLUMBIO, PROVINCE OF SULTAN KUDARAT, AS 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 Columbio, Province of Sultan Kudarat, is hereby

2 declared a tourism development area (TDA), and hereinafter shall be referred to as the 3 Columbio TDA.

SEC. 2. The Columbio TDA hereby includes the following areas within the

5 municipality that are endowed with scenic landscapes, natural attractions, and historical 6 significance: (a) La Palmera Mountain Ridges; (b) Asmakol Water Park;

(c) Fetam Klego Underground River Park; (d) Kolongled Bamboo Forest and Nature Park; (e) Kawing Forest Reserve and Nature Park; (f) Columbio Eco-Tourism Park; (g) Mt. Alip Mountain Ranges Eco-Tourism Adventure Park; (h) Sinalkuhan Trail Adventure; (i) Bitter Lion's Eco Adventure Park; (i) Columbio Circumferential Road Trail; (k) Mt. Bolol Lomot Forest Reserve; (I) Bukay El Nature Trail; (m) Abnahaw Eco-Park; (n) Polomok Eco Adventure; (o) Pangadilan River Adventure and Rock Formations; (p) Salnaong Cultural Tourism; (q) Tacol Falls; (r) Balaisan Eco Trail; (s) Libertad Ecological and Hiking Trail; and (t) Columbio 360 Eco Trail. 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 21 development of tourism development areas.

SEC. 3. Within one (1) year after the approval of this Act, the Municipal Government

of Columbio shall, in coordination with the DOT, Department of Environment and Natural 24 Resources (DENR), and concerned agencies of the government, prepare a tourism development 25 plan that shall include the construction, installation, and maintenance of such appropriate

infrastructure and facilities to enhance tourism in the municipality, 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, 4 further, That the implementation of the tourism development plan shall be included in the budget of the Municipal Government of Columbio.

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

implementation of the tourism development plan by providing technical assistance in tourism capacity building. It shall also include the Columbio TDA 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 Columbio. The DOT may augment such allocation with internally generated funds.

SEC. 6. Within sixty (60) days after the effectivity of this Act, the Municipal

Government of Columbio shall, in consultation with the DOT, DENR, and concerned agencies of the government, promulgate the rules and regulations to implement this Act.

SEC. 7. If any provision of this Act is declared unconstitutional or invalid, the other

provisions not affected thereby shall remain in full force and effect.

SEC. 8. 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. 9. This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after its publication in the Official

Gazette or in a newspaper of general circulation. Approved,