One Town, One Tourist Attraction Program (Otap) Act

Senate Office of the secretarp TWENTIETH CONGRESS OF THE REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES First Regular Session MAY 25 P5:02 SENATE RECEIVED BY: S. No. 2164 Introduced by Senator JV Ejercito AN ACT ESTABLISHING A "ONE TOWN, ONE TOURIST ATTRACTION PROGRAM" TO PROMOTE TOURISM AND SUSTAINABLE ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT, AND APPROPRIATING FUNDS THEREFOR EXPLANATORY NOTE The Department of Tourism reported that in 2025, the country experienced a drop of 2.2% in foreign tourist arrivals, which remained approximately 37% below the pre-pandemic level of 2019.1 A recent study by the Philippine Institute for Development Studies (PIDS) revealed that tourism growth in the country has been driven largely by domestic tourism, which provided resilience and rebound. A key challenge of Philippine tourism is its network problem with international access to domestic transport and local services. Challenges such as weak connectivity, fragmented logistics, and inconsistent service delivery can potentially weaken top destinations in the country? With these challenges encountered by the tourism sector, greater public investment is necessary to improve underfunded areas of the sector, specifically, its heritage and cultural institutions, recreational infrastructure, and workforce 1 The Straits Times/Asia News Network. (2026, January 6). 'More hassle than fun': Philippines struggles to draw tourists. INQUIRER.net. https://globalnation.inquirer.net/304244/more-hassle-than-fun-philippines-struggles-to- draw-tourists 2 Philippine Institute for Development Studies [PIDS]. (2026, March 24). Strong demand, but structural challenges constrain PH tourism growth [Press release]. Retrieved March 2026, from https://www.pids.gov.ph/details/news/press-releases/strong-demand-but-structural-challenges-constrain-ph- tourism-growth

development. The government remains committed to enhancing the country's tourism sector, as mandated by the Constitution and in line with Republic Act No. 9593 or the Tourism Act of 2009. In recognition of these challenges, the proposed legislation titled "One Town, One Tourist Attraction Program Act" aims to establish a grassroots framework to revitalize local tourism. It mandates that each city and municipality must identify and market at least one signature site, whether natural, historical, or traditional, to showcase their unique local identity. Through a multi-agency approach, this aims for essential infrastructure, marketing support, and sustainability training. More importantly, the bill also allocates resources to rehabilitate established tourism hubs to maximize their growth. Through this measure, it encourages stimulating inclusive economic growth, fosters regional pride, and generates sustainable employment across the country. In light of the foregoing, the immediate passage of this legislation is earnestly sought. • JV EJERCITO 3 Rivera, J. P., Bolalin, M. C., & Ocbina, J. J. (2025b). Philippine Tourism Sectoral Review (2000 to 2025): From Promise to Power-Accelerating the Philippines' Tourism Transformation toward Sustainability, Competitiveness, and Inclusion. https://doi.org/10.62986/dp2025.43

Senate Office of the retretacp TWENTIETH CONGRESS OF THE REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES ) First Regular Session ) 26 MAY 25 P5:02 SENATE RECEIVED BY: S. No. 2164 Introduced by Senator JV Ejercito AN ACT ESTABLISHING A "ONE TOWN, ONE TOURIST ATTRACTION PROGRAM" TO PROMOTE TOURISM AND SUSTAINABLE ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT, AND APPROPRIATING FUNDS THEREFOR 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 the "One Town, One

2 Tourist Attraction Program (OTAP) Act".

SEC. 2. Declaration of Policy. - The State recognizes the role of tourism as

4 an indispensable element of national economy and an industry of national interest and 5 importance. It is hereby declared the policy of the State to promote tourism through 6 policies and programs that drive inclusive local economic activity and boost national 7 economic growth. Towards this end, the State shall encourage all cities and 8 municipalities to develop potential tourist destinations and attractions that showcase beautiful and bountiful natural resources, and manmade attractions in the locality.

SEC. 3. Objectives. - This Act aims to:

(a) Help boost the local economy by developing at least one potential tourist destination per city or municipality; (b) Provide the necessary infrastructure to access and develop the tourist destination, including the development of access roads to nearby areas for other possible economic activities;

(c) Provide a free platform to promote and showcase or market the tourist destination, including the creation of advertising or marketing materials and technical support when necessary; (d) Collaborate with tourism business owners in effectively marketing the tourist destination and highlighting its most attractive and innovative attributes; (e) Establish sustainability programs and institute mechanisms to preserve and protect tourist destinations; (f) Create a town tourism business model guideline for local governments; and (g) Provide incentive packages to towns, individuals and business owners to encourage participation and create measures and strategies to entice tourists to visit local tourist destinations.

SEC. 4. One Town, One Tourist Attraction Program (OTAP). - There is

hereby established a One Town, One Tourist Attraction Program (OTAP). OTAP is a stimulus program for the promotion and development of local tourism in the grassroots 16 and countryside through the creation of tourist destinations and cultural attractions, 17 particularly in the city or municipality without tourism program. Cities and 18 municipalities with existing tourism programs are entitled to rehabilitation package to maximize their tourism potentials.

SEC. 5. Program Components. - The Department of Tourism (DOT)

Department of Public Works and Highways (DWPH), Department of Information and 22 Communications Technology (DICT), and Department of Environment and Natural 23 Resources (DENR), in partnership with the local government units, shall provide the following assistance to cities and municipalities; (a) Identification of tourist destinations and cultural attractions; (b) Creation of tourism action plan and program for the development of tourist destinations and cultural attractions; (c) Development of tourism roads leading to tourist destinations, including the development of surrounding road networks for future economic use; (d) Organization of workshops, seminars and capability building related to the potentials and opportunities of tourism for the residents;

(e) Assistance in securing permits, establishment of parameters and creation of a system to protect their environment and preserve the culture and way of life of the locals amid the influx of tourists; and (f) Provision of marketing tools and platform for the promotion of the tourist destinations, both locally and internationally, including multimedia campaigns, and local and international travel fairs.

SEC. 6. Prioritization. - The DOT and other agencies implementing OTAP

8 shall prioritize cities and municipalities without tourism programs. Cities or municipalities with natural tourist destinations such as caves, falls rock 10 formations, beaches and sanctuaries and manmade structures with potential tourist 11 appeal, or cities or municipalities with unique and interesting cultural events and 12 practices such as unique fiesta celebrations, food hubs, and parades expressing local culture may also receive appropriate assistance under the OTAP.

SEC. 7. Duties of Tourism Officers - The city or municipal tourism officer,

in coordination with the city or municipal planning officer and city or municipal 16 engineer shall: (a) Identify the potential tourist destination or cultural attraction that may be developed, improved, or rehabilitated; (b) Prepare a feasibility study and evaluation of the potential tourist destination or cultural attraction in terms of environmental safety ,accessibility, marketability, cultural preservation, return of investment, and benefits or employment opportunities for the people in the locality; (c) Prepare the civil works plans, detailed estimate, and bill o materials for road networks and infrastructure projects to be undertaken in the development, rehabilitation or improvement of the identified potential or existing tourist attraction; and (d) Submit the development or rehabilitation plans or program to the DOT for funding assistance Cities or municipalities with no existing tourism officer shall appoint a program 30 officer to coordinate with the city or municipal planning officer and city or municipal 31 engineer to carry out the duties under this Section.

SEC. 8. Duties of the DOT. - Pursuant to its mandate under Republic Act

2 No.9593, otherwise known as "The Tourism Act of 1999" the DOT shall perform the 3 following duties: (a) Study the development or rehabilitation program submitted by a city or municipality, including the source of funds and alternative long term or short-term financing from government financial institution or private sector; (b) Coordinate with the DPWH for the development or rehabilitation of tourism roads, buildings, and infrastructure projects; (c) Coordinate with the DENR for environmental protection and safety; and (d) Coordinate with the DICT for the advertisement, software technology, and other programs or tools needed In the marketing of tourist destinations or cultural attractions.

SEC. 9. Appropriations. - The amount necessary for the initial

implementation of this Act shall be charged against the current appropriations of the DOT. Thereafter, such amount as may be necessary for the continued implementation 17 of this Act shall be included in the General Appropriations Act.

SEC 10. Implementing Rules and Regulations. - Within sixty (60) days

from the effectivity of this Act, the DOT Secretary shall, in coordination with the heads of other implementing agencies, promulgate the rules and regulations necessary for the effective implementation of this Act.

SEC. 11. Separability Clause. - If any provision or part of this Act is declared

invalid or unconstitutional, the remaining parts or provisions not affected shall remain in force and effect.

SEC. 12. Repealing Clause. - All laws, decrees, proclamations, issuances, or

ordinances contrary or inconsistent with the provisions of this Act are amended, 27 repealed, or modified accordingly.

SEC. 13. Effectivity. - This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after its

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