Question & AnswerQ&A (Republic Act No. 9593)
Republic Act No. 9593 is known as "The Tourism Act of 2009."
The State declares tourism as an indispensable element of the national economy and an industry of national interest and importance, to be harnessed as an engine of socioeconomic growth, cultural affirmation, investment, foreign exchange, and employment generation.
The objectives include developing a national tourism action plan, promoting tourism awareness, granting preferential employment to Filipinos in tourism, providing government assistance and investment incentives, ensuring protection against exploitation, encouraging competition, improving data collection, promoting environmental protection, strengthening tourism councils, supporting civil aviation and transportation policies, ensuring balanced urban and rural tourism development, and maintaining international standards among others.
A Tourism Enterprise Zone is any geographic area capable of being defined into one contiguous territory which has historical, cultural significance, environmental beauty or potential integrated leisure facilities; has strategic access through transportation and utilities; is sufficient in size to bring in new investments; and is located strategically to catalyze socioeconomic development of neighboring communities.
The Department of Tourism is mandated to formulate tourism policies, supervise their implementation, coordinate government agencies, promote Philippine tourism locally and internationally, represent the government in tourism matters, assist LGUs with tourism development, set standards and regulations for tourism enterprises, monitor tourism impacts, and collect fees for tourism development among others.
The TPB is governed by a Board composed of the Secretary of Tourism as Chairperson and other members including representatives from various departments and the private sector. Its mandate is to market and promote the Philippines domestically and internationally as a global tourism destination, and to attract events such as conventions and sports competitions.
TEZ operators and registered enterprises may be granted income tax holidays, gross income taxation at 5% in lieu of other taxes, exemptions from taxes and duties on capital investments, transportation and spare parts, tax credits for locally sourced goods, social responsibility incentives, and non-fiscal incentives like employment of foreign nationals, special investor visas, and the right to lease land.
TIEZA is a body corporate tasked with designating, regulating, and supervising TEZs, developing and managing tourism infrastructure projects, enforcing development plans, granting incentives, and coordinating with LGUs and government agencies for infrastructure and services within TEZs.
Primary tourism enterprises must obtain periodic accreditation from the Department of Tourism based on internationally recognized standards to be beneficiaries of promotions, training, and benefits. Accreditation ensures quality of service, compliance with standards, and the Department may impose fines or revoke accreditation for violations. Accredited enterprises also enjoy preference and sectoral cooperation.
The Committee is composed of the Chairpersons of the Tourism Committees and other key legislative committees from both Houses of Congress together with additional members. It oversees the implementation of RA 9593 for ten years, receives monthly and quarterly reports from the Secretary of Tourism on tourist arrivals and agency implementations.