Banga Caves (Camarines Sur) an Ecotourism Destination

CONGRESS OF THE PHILIPPINES TWENTIETH CONGRESS First Regular Session HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES H. No. 8563 BY REPRESENTATIVES HORIBATA, MADRONA, CHAN (J.), SALVAME, ANGARA, ALVAREZ (J.), KHO (E.), TUAN, MIRAFLORES, YAP (J.C.), AGYAO, ALANO, DALOG, MOMO, SINGSON (R.V.), CALDERON, YNARES, CORVERA, REGENCIA, CASTRO, GONZALES (A.M.), TUPAS, PLEYTO, BANCORO, RODRIGUEZ (D.), BELTRAN, DAZA, DEL MAR, GUINTU, BARBA, CAGAS, CAYTON, COLLANTES, ROMAN, ROQUE, UMALI, SUAN AND VILLAFUERTE (M.L.) AN ACT DECLARING BANGA CAVES, LOCATED IN THE MUNICIPALITY OF RAGAY, PROVINCE OF CAMARINES SUR, AS AN ECOTOURISM DESTINATION Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the Philippines in Congress assembled:

SECTION 1. The Banga Caves, located in the Municipality of Ragay, Province of

2 Camarines Sur, are hereby declared an ecotourism destination. Pursuant thereto, its development 3 shall be prioritized and supported by the Department of Tourism (DOT), subject to the rules and 4 regulations governing the development of ecotourisi destinations.

SEC. 2. Within one (1) year after the approval of this Act, the Municipal Government of

6 Ragay 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

1 the construction, installation, and maintenance of such appropriate infrastructure and facilities to enhance ecotourism in the area: Provided, That said development plan shall ensure the preservation and conservation of the natural beauty and resources of the area: Provided, further, 4 That the implementation of the tourism development plan shall be included in the budget of the 5 Municipal Government of Ragay.

SEC. 3. The DOT shall assist the Municipal Government of Ragay in the implementation

7 of the tourism development plan by providing technical assistance in tourism capacity building. It shall also include the Banga Caves in its national and regional promotion programs.

SEC. 4. The funding for the implementation of this Act shall be included in the annual

10 budget of the Municipal Government of Ragay. The DOT may augment such allocation with 11 internally generated funds.

SEC. 5. Within sixty (60) days after the effectivity of this Act, the Municipal Government

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

SEC. 6. All laws, rules, regulations, executive orders, proclamations, presidential decrees,

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

SEC. 7. This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after its publication in the Official

Gazette or in a newspaper of general circulation. Approved,