8/20/2019 oct31.2015 bBill declares Albay municipality as ecotourism zone

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Bill declares Albay municipality as ecotourism zone

A lawmaker has proposed to declare the Municipality of Jovellar in the province of 

Albay as an ecotourism zone to generate investment and foreign exchange in the area.

Rep. Fernando . !onzalez "#rd $istrict% Albay& said 'ouse (ill )*+, will fast

track the recognition of the municipality-s hidden wonders and also provide employment

opportunities for local residents.

n filing the measure% !onzalez cited Republic Act *)*# or the /ourism Act of 011*

declaring tourism as an indispensable element of the national economy and an industry of national interest and importance% which must be harnessed as an engine of socio2economic

growth and cultural affirmation to generate investment% foreign exchange and employment

and to continue to mold an enhanced sense of national pride for all Filipinos.

!onzalez% a vice2chairperson of the 'ouse 3ommittees on (icol Recovery and

4conomic $evelopment and /ransportation% said the Municipality of Jovellar offers

tremendous tourism potential such as the 5igpit67uitanday Falls% caves and underground

river and the 7uipia River that runs all the way to butanding2famous $onsol in 5orsogon.

8$eveloping Jovellar into an ecotourism zone will generate investment and foreignexchange in the area and will also provide employment opportunities for local residents.

9ith the influx of tourists% the ecotourism zone will be significant source of business

opportunities%: !onzalez said.

'owever% !onzalez said the lack of sufficient lodging and retail facilities and

round2the2clock public transportation hinder the socio2economic and environmental

development of the area.

!onzalez said all these problems will be properly addressed once the Municipalityof Jovellar becomes an ecotourism zone.

;nder the bill% the declaration of Jovellar as an ecotourism zone shall be accorded

 priority development by the $epartment of /ourism "$</&% and shall be sub=ect to the

rules and regulations governing the development of tourist zones.

/he $</% in coordination with the local government units ">!;s& concerned% and

other concerned agencies of the government% is directed to prepare a development plan

involving the construction% installation and maintenance of such appropriate faculties andinfrastructure% which shall enhance tourism in the area.

/he development plan shall ensure the preservation and conservation of the natural

NR # 4004 

OCT 31, 2015

8/20/2019 oct31.2015 bBill declares Albay municipality as ecotourism zone

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 beauty and indigenous nature of the area.

Also% consideration must be given to the formulation% development and

implementation of programs and strategies that will generate livelihood and employment

opportunities for the local inhabitants of the area.

/he $</ is likewise mandated to implement the tourism development plan that will

suit the natural characteristics of the area and shall incorporate the same in the overall

development plans and programs for national implementation.

t shall be the responsibility of the $</ to promote Jovellar as a tourism area in all

its natural% regional and local promotion programs. "#1& lvc