Bien Unido Double Barrier Reef and Underwater Environs (Bohol) as a Tourism Destination

CONGRESS OF THE PHILIPPINES TWENTIETH CONGRESS First Regular Session HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES H. No. 8572 BY REPRESENTATIVES AUMENTADO, 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 BIEN UNIDO DOUBLE BARRIER REEF AND ITS IMMEDIATE UNDERWATER ENVIRONS IN THE MUNICIPALITY OF BIEN UNIDO, PROVINCE OF BOHOL, AS A TOURISM DESTINATION Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the Philippines in Congress assembled: SECTION L The Bien Unido Double Barrier Reef and its immediate underwater environs, located in the Municipality of Bien Unido, Province of Bohol, are hereby declared a 3 tourism destination. Pursuant thereto, its development shall be prioritized and supported by the 4 Department of Tourism (DOT), subject to the rules and regulations governing the development 5 of tourism destinations.

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

7 of Bien Unido shall, in coordination with the DOT, Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR), and concerned agencies of the government, prepare a tourism development

1 plan that shall include the construction, installation, and maintenance of such appropriate 2 infrastructure and facilities to ensure accessibility and the security of tourists in the area: 3 Provided, That said development plan shall ensure the preservation and conservation of the 4 marine life and underwater geological significance of the area: Provided, further, That the implementation of the tourism development plan shall be included in the budget of the 6 Municipal Government of Bien Unido.

SEC. 3. The DOT shall assist the Municipal Government of Bien Unido in the

implementation of the tourism development plan by providing technical assistance in tourism capacity building. It shall also include the Bien Unido Double Barrier Reef and its immediate underwater environs in its national and regional promotion programs.

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

12 budget of the Municipal Government of Bien Unido. The DOT may augment such allocation with internally generated funds.

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

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

SEC. 6. 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. 7. This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after its publication in the Official

Gazette or in a newspaper of general circulation. Approved,