Verde Island Passage Ecotourism Act

Senate Office of the Setcetary TWENTIETH CONGRESS OF THE REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES First Regular Session 26 MAY 25 P5:01 SENATE RECEIVED BY: 2162 S. No. Introduced by Senator JV Ejercito AN ACT DECLARING THE VERDE ISLAND PASSAGE IN THE PROVINCES OF BATANGAS, MARINDUQUE, OCCIDENTAL MINDORO, ORIENTAL MINDORO, AND ROMBLON, AS AN ECOTOURISM ZONE, APPROPRIATING FUNDS THEREFOR, AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES EXPLANATORY NOTE The Verde Island Passage (VIP) encompasses the five provinces of Batangas, Marinduque, Oriental Mindoro, Occidental Mindoro, and Romblon, covering approximately 1.4 million hectares. Its importance is vested in its label as the "world's center of the center of marine shore fish biodiversity. "' Considered as the "Amazon of the oceans," VIP is part of the Coral Triangle, where its biodiversity richness is similar to that of the Amazon. Moreover, VIP is a home to the highest concentration of coastal fishes, corals, crustaceans, molluscs, seagrasses, and mangroves. Additionally, the VIP is one of the busiest shipping corridors, accommodating international ports and numerous oil and gas facilities. VIP poses an advantage in its tourism implications, whereas scuba diving is prevalent due to its stunning coral reefs 1 Saco, J. A., & Azcuna, M. E. M. (2022). Looking inside the Marine Research Center for Verde Island Passage 2 Salazar, C. (2023, March 7). Verde Island Passage in danger as LNG projects flock to Batangas, PCIJ.org. https://pcij.org/2023/03/07/verde-island-passage-in-danger-as-Ing-projects-flock-to-batangas/ 3 Conservation International [Conservation International]. (2013, August 15). Conservation Partnerships - Preserving the Verde Island Passage, a Priority Conservation Corridor of the Sulu-Sulawesi Seascape. Corang Triangle Initiative. Retrieved March 12, 2026, from https://www.coraltriangleinitiative.org/library/brochure- conservation-partnerships-preserving-verde-island-passage-priority-conservation

and diverse marine life.* Its diverse marine life contributes to the livelihoods of the locals in the surrounding provinces, mainly through fishing and ecotourism.5 This legislation seeks to establish the Verde Island Passage as a specialized ecotourism zone, mandating the Department of Tourism (DOT) to incorporate its growth into the National Tourism Development Plan. The project will be managed through a partnership between the DOT, the Tourism Infrastructure and Enterprise Zone Authority (TIEZA), provincial governments, and the local Protected Area Management Board (PAMB). These entities will collaborate to identify key geographic sites for development, ensuring that infrastructure improvements and the use of natural resources do not compromise the area's historical integrity or biological diversity. The goal is to create a sustainable tourism model that is culturally respectful and provides equitable economic rewards to local residents. In light of the foregoing, the immediate passage of this legislation is earnestly sought. JV EJERCITO 4 Divers, A. (2020, February 8). Why go scuba diving in Verde Island Passage in the Philippines. V2. https://asiadivers.com/blog/verde-island-passage/ 5 Philippines' Verde Island Passage receives "Hope Spot" designation /. (n.d.). California Academy of Sciences. https://www.calacademy.org/press/releases/philippines%E2%80%99-verde-island-passage-receives- %E2%80%9Chope-spot%E2%80%9D-designation

Senate Office of the Secretary TWENTIETH CONGRESS OF THE REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES First Regular Session 26 MAY 25 P5:01 SENATE RECEIVED BY: S. No. 2162 Introduced by Senator JV Ejercito AN ACT DECLARING THE VERDE ISLAND PASSAGE IN THE PROVINCES OF BATANGAS, MARINDUQUE, OCCIDENTAL MINDORO, ORIENTAL MINDORO, AND ROMBLON, AS AN ECOTOURISM ZONE, APPROPRIATING FUNDS THEREFOR, AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES Be it enacted by the Senate and the House of Representatives of the Philippines in Congress assembled:

Section 1. Short Title. - This Act shall be known as "Verde Island Passage

2 Ecotourism Act"

Sec. 2. Declaration of Policy. - It is hereby declared the policy of the State

4 to promote a tourism industry that is ecologically stable, responsible, participative, 5 culturally sensitive, economically viable, and equitably beneficial to local communities.

Sec. 3. Declaration as Ecotourism Zone. - The Verde Island Passage in the

7 Provinces of Batangas, Occidental Mindoro, Oriental Mindoro, Marinduque, and 8 Romblon is hereby declared an ecotourism zone. Its development shall be prioritized 9 by the Department of Tourism (DOT) and shall be subject to the rules and regulations 10 governing the development of ecotourism zones. The DOT shall prepare and incorporate the development plan for Verde Island 12 Passage in the overall National Tourism Development Plan (NTDP), pursuant to Republic Act No. 9593, otherwise known as "The Tourism Act of 2009". The plan shall 14 be implemented jointly with the Provincial Governments of Batangas, Occidental 15 Mindoro, Oriental Mindoro, Marinduque, and Romblon, the local Protected Area

1 Management Board (PAMB), and the Tourism Infrastructure and Enterprise Zone 2 Authority (TIEZA). The DOT, in coordination with the Provincial Governments of Batangas, 4 Occidental Mindoro, Oriental Mindoro, Marinduque, and Romblon; the PAMB; the 5 TIEZA; and other concerned agencies and instrumentalities of the government, shall 6 identify well defined geographic areas within Verde Island Passage ecotourism zone 7 and coordinate the integrated development of the areas for the optimum utilization of 8 natural assets and attractions, as well as existing infrastructures and facilities; 9 Provided, that the development shall ensure the preservation of the biodiversity, 10 scenery and historical significance of the identified tourist attractions.

Sec. 4. Implementation. - Within sixty (60) days after the effectivity of this

12 Act, the Secretary of Tourism, in consultation with the Provincial Governments of 13 Batangas, Occidental Mindoro, Oriental Mindoro, Marinduque, and Romblon; the 14 PAMB, the TIEZA and other tourism stakeholders, shall promulgate the necessary rules 15 and regulations for the proper implementation of this Act.

Sec. 5. Appropriations. - The Secretary of Tourism shall include in the

17 Department's program the implementation of this Act, the funding of which shall be included in the General Appropriations Act and internally generated funds of the DOT.

Sec. 6. Repealing Clause. - All laws, executive orders, presidential decrees,

20 rules and regulations and other issuances contrary or inconsistent with this Act shall 21 be deemed repealed or modified accordingly.

Sec. 7. Effectivity. - This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after its

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