CONGRESS OF THE PHILIPPINES TWENTIETH CONGRESS First Regular Session HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES H. No. 8575 BY REPRESENTATIVES PLAZA, BASCUG, MADRONA, CHAN (J.), SALVAME, ANGARA, ALVAREZ (J.), KHO (E.), TUAN, MTRAFLORES, 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, SUAN AND ATAYDE AN ACT DECLARING THE AGUSAN MARSH, LOCATED IN THE MUNICIPALITIES OF TALACOGON, SAN FRANCISCO, ROSARIO, BUNAWAN, LORETO, LA PAZ, AND VERUELA, ALL IN THE PROVINCE OF AGUSAN DEL SUR, AS AN ECOTOURISNI ZONE Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the Philippines Congress assembled:
SECTION 1. Declaration of Policy. - The State is mandated to promote a tourism
2 industry that is ecologically sustainable, responsible, participative, culturally sensitive, 3 economically viable, and equitably beneficial to local communities.
SEC. 2. Agusan Marsh Ecotourism Zone. - The Agusan Marsh, located in the
5 Municipalities of Talacogon, San Francisco, Rosario, Bunawan, Loreto, La Paz, and Veruela 6 in the Province of Agusan del Sur is hereby declared an ecotourism zone. Pursuant thereto, its 7 development shall be prioritized and supported by the Department of Tourism (DOT), subject 8 to the rules and regulations governing the development of ecotourism zones.
SEC. 3. Scope and Coverage. - This Act shall cover the Municipalities of Talacogon,
2 San Francisco, Rosario, Bunawan, Loreto, La Paz, and Veruela. The setting of technical boundaries of the ecotourism zone shall be undertaken by 4 the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) and other concerned 5 agencies of the government.
SEC. 4. Definition of Terms. - As used in this Act:
(a) Biodiversity conservation refers to the practice of preserving the variety of species, habitats 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 tourism 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) Homestays 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 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 Agusan
4 Marsh 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 ecotourism zone; (b) Ensure the conservation of the biodiversity and the preservation of said ecotourism zone; (c) Develop tourism products and programs that shall generate employment and livelihood for the local residents concerned, consistent with the preservation and maintenance of the natural resources; (d) Guarantee that the financial and economic benefits of the tourism industry are equitably shared by and distributed among the local residents concerned, by giving preference and support to community- and home-based micro and small tourism enterprises, such as homestays, restaurants, food and fruit stands, and other similar tourism-oriented businesses and activities; (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, non-government organizations (NGOs), concerned local government units (LGUs), DOT, and DENR; and (f) Guarantee that in the development and promotion of the local tourism industry, the concerned LGUs shall ensure the adequate provision of water supply, food, energy, and transportation for the needs of the local residents and communities.
SEC. 6. The Agusan Marsh Ecotourism Development and Management Plan. -
2 Within one hundred twenty (120) days after the approval of this Act, the Municipal 3 Governments of Talacogon, San Francisco, Rosario, Bunawan, Loreto, La Paz, and Veruela shall, in coordination with the DOT, DENR, and concerned agencies of the government, prepare the Agusan Marsh Ecotourism Development and Management Plan that shall be 6 complemented by a set of guidelines for responsible community-based ecotourism. The Agusan Marsh Ecotourism Development and Management Plan shall ensure the preservation of the ecotourism zone and shall include the following components: (a) Carrying capacity of the ecotourism zone, including its endemic and migratory bird species; (b) Specific site assessment; (c) Identification of strategic priorities; (d) Product development plans for local income generation; (e) Capacity-building for the local communities 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 (8) Marketing strategies that uphold the natural, social, and environmental integrity of the ecotourism zone and its local residents.
SEC. 7. Agusan Marsh Ecotourism Board. - The Agusan Marsh Ecotourism
22 Board, hereinafter referred to as the Board, is hereby created. It shall be composed of the following members: (a) Governor of the Province of Agusan del Sur, as Chairperson; (b) Secretary of the DOT, or a duly authorized representative;
(c) Secretary of the DENR, or a duly authorized representative; (d) Mayors of the Municipalities of Talacogon, San Francisco, Rosario, Bunawan, Loreto, La Paz, and Veruela; (e) Representative from a non-governmental organization whose advocacy is environmental preservation; (f) Representative from the academe; (g) Representative from the business sector; and (h) Representative from the private sector. The Board shall, in coordination with the DOT and concerned agencies of the government, promulgate the rules and regulations to implement this Act and, as the need arises, shall amend, modify, or revise such rules and regulations to meet the needs of changing 12 times. The Provincial Government of Agusan del Sur shall provide a secretariat for the Board 14 including the funding necessary to cover the expenses for the performance of its functions and activities.
SEC. 8. Role of the DOT. - The DOT shall assist the Municipal Governments of
Talacogon, San Francisco, Rosario, Bunawan, Loreto, La Paz, and Veruela in the 18 implementation of the Agusan Marsh Ecotourism Development and Management Plan by 19 providing technical assistance in tourism capacity building. It shall also include the Agusan 20 Marsh in its national and regional promotion programs.
SEC. 9. Appropriations. - The funding for the implementation of this Act shall be
22 included in the respective annual budgets of the Municipal Governments of Talacogon, San 23 Francisco, Rosario, Bunawan, Loreto, La Paz, and Veruela. The DOT may augment such 24 allocation with internally generated funds.
SEC. 10. Separability Clause. - If any provision or part of this Act shall be declared
2 unconstitutional or invalid, the other provisions not affected thereby shall remain in full force 3 and effect.
SEC. 11. Repealing Clause. - All laws, rules, regulations,
executive orders, 5 presidential decrees, or other issuances contrary to or inconsistent with any of the provisions 6 of this Act are hereby deemed repealed or amended accordingly.
SEC. 12. Effectivity. - This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after its publication
8 in the Official Gazette or in a newspaper of general circulation. Approved,