Bakhawan Eco-park (Aklan) an Ecotourism Zone

CONGRESS OF THE PHILIPPINES TWENTIETH CONGRESS First Regular Session HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES H. No. 8568 BY REPRESENTATIVES MARQUEZ, 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 BAKHAWAN ECO-PARK, LOCATED IN BARANGAY NEW BUSWANG, MUNICIPALITY OF KALIBO, PROVINCE OF AKLAN, AS AN ECOTOURISM ZONE Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the Philippines in Congress assembled:

SECTION 1. Declaration of Policy, - It is the policy of the State to promote a

2 tourism industry that is ecologically sustainable, responsible, participative, culturally 3 sensitive, economically viable, and equitably beneficial to local communities.

SEC. 2. Bakhawan Eco-Park Ecotourism Zone. - The Bakhawan Eco-Park, located

5 in Barangay New Buswang, Municipality of Kalibo, Province of Aklan, is hereby declared a 6 community-based ecotourism zone. Pursuant thereto, its development shall be prioritized and 7 supported by the Department of Tourism (DOT), subject to the rules and regulations 8 governing the development of ecotourism zones.

SEC. 3. Scope and Coverage. - This Act shall cover the boundaries of the two

hundred twenty-hectare (220-hectare) mangrove forest of the Bakhawan Eco-Park. The setting of technical boundaries of the ecotourism zone shall be undertaken by the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) and other concerned agencies.

SEC. 4. Definition of Terms. - As used in this Act:

(a) Biodiversity conservation refers to the practice of preserving the variety of species, habits and ecosystems, and genetic diversity of the place, including inter alia, terrestrial, marine and other aquatic ecosystems, and the ecological complexes which they are a part of; (b) Community-based ecotourism refers to a form of tourism where the local community and its residents have substantial control over and involvement in the development and management of the local tourism industry wherein the greater portion of the economic gains remain within the community; (c) Ecotourism refers to a form of sustainable tourism within a natural area where community participation, protection and management of natural resources, cultural and indigenous knowledge and practices, environmental education and ethics, as well as economic benefits, are fostered and pursued for the enrichment of host communities and satisfaction of visitors; (d) Homestay refers to a system of tourist accommodation where a tourist stays with local residents and experiences the day-to-day life of the local residents; and (e) Responsible community-based ecotourism refers to a form of sustainable tourism in which both the tourism sector and the tourists take responsibility in the protection, respect, and conservation of the natural environment and the local culture and ways of life, and where community participation as well as

economic benefits are fostered and pursued for the well-being of the local residents and visitors.

SEC. 5. Development Strategies. - To accomplish the development of the Bakhawan

4 Eco-Park as an ecotourism zone, the State shall: (a) Develop and promote responsible community-based ecotourism as the core management strategy in the development of the Bakhawan Eco-Park; (b) Ensure the conservation of the biodiversity and the preservation of said Eco-Park; (c) Develop tourism products and programs that shall generate employment and livelihood for the local residents and non-governmental organizations (NGOs) concerned, consistent with the preservation and maintenance of the mangrove forest; (d) Guarantee that the financial and economic benefits of the tourism industry are equitably shared by and distributed among the local residents and NGOs concerned, by giving preference and support to community- and home-based micro and small tourism enterprises, such as local inns, lodges and homestays, restaurants, food and fruit stands, and other similar tourism-oriented industries and businesses; (e) Ensure that the quality of local tourism programs and activities are educational and enriching for tourists and visitors through the provision of orientation, educational and tour programs by local tour operators, NGOs, the Municipal Government of Kalibo and the DOT; and (* Guarantee that, in the development and promotion of the local tourism industry, the Municipal Government of Kalibo ensures the adequate provision of water, food, energy, and local construction materials to residents.

SEC. 6. Tourism Development Plan for the Bakhawan Eco-Park. - The Municipal

2 Government of Kalibo shall, in coordination with the DOT, DENR, and concerned agencies 3 of the government, prepare the tourism development plan for the Bakhawan Eco-Park that 4 shall be complemented by a set of guidelines for a responsible, community-based ecotourism. The tourism development plan shall ensure the preservation of the area and shall include the following components: (a) Determination and description of the carrying capacity of the Eco-Park; (b) Specific site assessment; (c) Identification of strategic priorities; (d) Product development plans for local income generation; (e) Capacity-building for the local community so residents therein can ably manage economically viable and responsible community-based ecotourism business enterprises; (f) Strategies to promote the formulation of local production groups and networks, including the marketing and pricing of products; and (g) Marketing strategies that uphold the natural, social, and environmental integrity of the Eco-Park and its local residents. The process of formulating the tourism development plan shall be participatory, with the framework to be provided by the DOT and DENR, in consultation with the local 20 governments of the Municipality of Kalibo and Barangay New Buswang.

SEC. 7. Formulation of Guidelines and Standards. - The DENR shall assist the local

governments of the Municipality of Kalibo and Barangay New Buswang in the formulation 23 of local tourism standards to ensure that environmental protection is integrated in the 24 preparation of development plans. These local tourism standards shall:

(a) Raise the capacity of all stakeholders and ensure that best practices are followed; (b) Ensure optional use of water and energy; (c) Reduce waste and pollution through environmentally-sound waste management disposal schemes; (d) Prevent vandalism in the facilities of the Bakhawan Eco-Park; and (e) Encourage the use of local produce and services, and support the employment of local people.

SEC. 8. Role of the DOT. - The DOT shall also assist the Municipal Government of

10 Kalibo in the implementation of the tourism development plan by providing technical 11 assistance in tourism capacity building. It shall also include the Bakhawan Eco-Park in its 12 national and regional promotion programs.

SEC. 9. Coordination with National Agencies. - The Municipal Government of

14 Kalibo shall coordinate with the regional offices of the DENR, Department of Labor and 15 Employment, Department of Public Works and Highways, Department of Transportation, 16 Department of Agriculture, Department of Education, Department of Trade and Industry, 17 Department of the Interior and Local Government, Philippine National Police, Maritime Industry 18 Authority, and other line agencies of the government in the implementation of this Act.

SEC. 10. Appropriations. - The funding for the implementation of this Act shall be

20 included in the annual budget of the Municipal Government of Kalibo. The DOT may 21 augment such allocation with internally generated funds.

SEC. 11. Implementing Rules and Regulations. - Within thirty (30) days after the

23 effectivity of this Act, the Municipal Government of Kalibo shall, in consultation with the 24 DOT, DENR, and concerned agencies of the government, promulgate the rules and 25 regulations to implement this Act.

SEC. 12. Separability Clause. - If any provision of this Act is declared

unconstitutional or invalid, the other provisions not affected thereby shall remain to be in full force and effect.

SEC. 13. Repealing Clause. - All laws, decrees, executive orders, proclamations, and

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

SEC. 14. Effectivity. - This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after its

publication in the Official Gazette or in a newspaper of general circulation. Approved,