Sitio Pulak-pulakan (Negros Occidental) as an Ecotourism Zone

CONGRESS OF THE PHILIPPINES TWENTIETH CONGRESS First Regular Session HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES H. No. 8574 BY REPRESENTATIVES BENITEZ (J.M.), 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 SITIO PULAK-PULAKAN, LOCATED IN BARANGAY SAN FERNANDO, CITY OF TALISAY, PROVINCE OF NEGROS OCCIDENTAL, AS AN ECOTOURISM ZONE Be il enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the Philippines in Congress assembled:

SECTION 1. Sitio Pulak-Pulakan, located in Barangay San Fernando, City of Talisay,

2 Province of Negros Occidental, is hereby declared an ecotourism zone. Pursuant thereto, its 3 development shall be prioritized and supported by the Department of Tourism (DOT), subject to 4 the rules and regulations governing the development of ecotourism zones.

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

6 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 area, such as an information center, view deck, multipurpose hall, bamboo treatment facility, plant nursery, wildlife research center, livelihood center, and lodging facilities: 4 Provided, That said development plan shall ensure the preservation and conservation of the natural 5 beauty and resources of the area: Provided, further, That the implementation of the tourism 6 development plan shall be included in the budget of the City Government of Talisay.

SEC. 3. The DOT shall assist the City Government of Talisay in the implementation of

8 the tourism development plan by providing technical assistance in tourism capacity building. It shall also include Sitio Pulak-Pulakan in its national and regional promotion programs.

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

budget of the City Government of Talisay. The DOT may augment such allocation with internally generated funds.

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

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

SEC. 6. If any provision of this Act shall be declared unconstitutional or invalid, the other

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

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,