AN ACT DECLARING THE PROVINCE OF BATANES AS A RESPONSIBLE, COMMUNITY-BASED CULTURAL HERITAGE AND ECOTOURISM ZONE

Sixteenth Congress
Third Regular Session

Begun and held in Metro Manila, on Monday, the twenty-seventh day of July, two thousand fifteen.

[ REPUBLIC ACT NO. 10866, June 23, 2016 ]

AN ACT DECLARING THE PROVINCE OF BATANES AS A RESPONSIBLE, COMMUNITY-BASED CULTURAL HERITAGE AND ECOTOURISM ZONE

Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the Philippines in Congress assembled:

Section 1. Title. – This Act shall be known as the "Batanes Responsible Tourism Act".

Section 2. Declaration of Policy. – The State recognizes, respects, and protects the rights of indigenous cultural communities to preserve and develop their cultures, traditions, and institutions, and considers these rights in the formulation of national plans and policies.

The State is further mandated to promote a tourism industry that is ecologically sustainable, responsible, participative, culturally sensitive, economically viable and equitable for local communities. Towards this end, the Province of Batanes is hereby declared a cultural heritage and ecotourism zone. It shall be accorded priority development by the Department of Tourism (DOT) and shall be subject to the rules and regulations governing the development of cultural heritage and ecotourism zones. The promotion of the following inherent values and characteristics which influence the uniqueness of the Ivatan culture and the beauty of the islands of Batanes shall be pursued in the development and management of the tourism industry in the Province: (a) the integrity of its ecology and environment; (b) the richness of its natural and cultural heritage; and (c) the resilience of its indigenous social institutions.

Section 3. Objectives. – Pursuant to the above declaration of policy, the State shall endeavor to accomplish the following objectives:

Section 4. Definition of Terms. – As used in this Act:

Section 5. Scope and Coverage. – This Act shall cover the same boundaries as provided in Section 3 of Republic Act No. 8991, otherwise known as the "Batanes Protected Area Act of 2000".

Section 6. Provincial Tourism Development Plan. – The DOT, in coordination with the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR), the National Commission on Indigenous Peoples (NCIP), and the National Commission for Culture and the Arts (NCCA), shall assist the Province of Batanes in the formulation of the Provincial Tourism Development Plan that shall be complemented by a set of guidelines and standards for a responsible, community-based ecotourism. The tourism development plan shall ensure the preservation of the natural sites, the cultural and historic significance of identified tourist attractions, and respect for Ivatan culture and traditions, and shall include the following components:

The process of developing the Tourism Master Plan shall be participatory, from the bottom up, with the framework provided by the DOT, the DENR, the NCIP, and the NCCA, in consultation with the provincial and municipal governments.

Section 7. Formulation of Guidelines and Standards. – The concerned Protected Area Management Board of the DENR, the NCIP, and the local tourism council, in coordination with the LGUs, shall assist in the formulation of local tourism standards in the context of environmental stability, as well as recommend guidelines to ensure that biodiversity conservation and environmental protection are integrated in the development of heritage and ecotourism plans. The guidelines and standards shall:

Section 8. Coordination with National Agencies. – The DOT shall closely coordinate with the provincial and municipal governments of the Province of Batanes, as well as with the regional and provincial offices of all relevant national government agencies, such as the DENR, the NCIP, the NCCA, the National Historical Commission, the National Museum, the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE), the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH), the Department of Transportation and Communications (DOTC), the Department of Agriculture (DA), the Department of Science and Technology (DOST), the Department of Education (DepED), the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI), the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG), the Philippine National Police (PNP), the Maritime Industry Authority (MARINA), and the Philippine Ports Authority (PPA) in the implementation of this Act.

Section 9. Implementing Rules and Regulations. – The DOT, the DENR, the NCIP, and the NCCA, in consultation with the provincial and municipal governments of Batanes, concerned government agencies, and stakeholders, shall, within sixty (60) days from the effectivity of this Act, promulgate the necessary rules and regulations for the proper implementation of this Act.

Section 10. Separability Clause. – In the event that any provision of this Act or part hereof is declared unconstitutional or invalid, the other provisions not affected thereby shall remain in force and effect.

Section 11. Repealing Clause. – All laws, decrees, executive orders, presidential issuances and other administrative rules and regulations or parts thereof which are inconsistent with this Act are hereby repealed, amended or modified accordingly.

Section 12. Effectivity. – This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after its publication in the Official Gazette or in a newspaper of general circulation.

Approved,

This Act which originated in the House of Representatives was passed by the House of Representatives on October 9, 2015, amended by the Senate on May 23, 2016, and which amendment was concurred in by the House of Representatives on May 23, 2016.

Approved: JUN 23 2016

(Sgd.) BENIGNO S. AQUINO III
President of the Philippines