Policy and purpose
- The State shall promote a tourism industry that is ecologically sustainable, responsible, participative, culturally sensitive, economically viable, and equitable for local communities. (Section 2)
- The State shall provide mechanisms and infrastructure for sustainable tourism development. (Section 2)
- The State shall promote and develop areas and sites identified as tourist destinations or attractions or having potential for tourism to drive inclusive growth throughout the country. (Section 2)
Scope: Camiguin ecotourism coverage
- The Act covers the ecotourism sites in the Province of Camiguin that include, among others, the specific sites enumerated by the law. (Section 3)
- The enumerated sites are within Camiguin’s municipalities: Mambajao, Catarman, Sagay, Mahinog, and Guinsihban. (Section 3)
- The Act includes Mount Timpoong a Hibok-Hibok Natural Monument with detailed coordinate-based boundary references. (Section 3(a))
- The Act includes the following ecotourism sites in the Municipality of Mambajao:
- White Island; Katibawasan Falls; Tangub Hot Spring; Sa-ay Cold Spring; and Ardent Hibok-Hibok Hot Spring. (Section 3(b))
- The Act includes the following ecotourism sites in the Municipality of Mahinog:
- Magsaysay Island (Mantigue Island); Taguines Lagoon; Macao Cold Spring; and Queobe Eco Park. (Section 3(c))
- The Act includes the following ecotourism sites in the Municipality of Catarman:
- Sto. Nino Cold Spring; Bura Soda Water Spring; Sunken Cemetery; Catarman Church Ruins (Old Church Ruins / Guiob Church Ruins); Walkway to Mount Vulcan Daan (Walkway to the Old Volcano and Stations of the Cross); and Tuasan Falls. (Section 3(d))
- The Act includes the following ecotourism sites in the Municipality of Sagay:
- Binangawan Falls; Langojanan Ki Inggoy; and Pamunglo Spring. (Section 3(e))
- The Act includes the following ecotourism sites in the Municipality of Guinsihban:
- Moro Watch Tower and Mount Ilihan. (Section 3(f))
Adding new ecotourism sites
- Other areas in Camiguin with potential for tourism, such as springs, waterfalls, streams, lakes and other bodies of water, beaches, marine areas, mountains, forests, historical or cultural sites, and other natural or man-made sites and attractions, shall be included among ecotourism sites after the processes required by the law. (Section 4)
- Inclusion requires consultation with the Department of Tourism (DOT) and the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR). (Section 4)
- Inclusion requires a survey and verification by the National Mapping and Resource Information Authority (NAMRIA) coordinated with the Provincial Government of Camiguin. (Section 4)
- Final declaration as an ecotourism site requires a declaration by the Camiguin Tourism Council. (Section 4)
Camiguin Tourism Council created
- The law organizes the Camiguin Tourism Council as the primary policy-making, planning, and coordinating body for tourism development in Camiguin and for administration of ecotourism sites. (Section 5(a))
- The Council shall convene upon the effectivity of the Act. (Section 5(a))
- The Council is composed of:
- The Provincial Governor of Camiguin as Chairperson. (Section 5(a)(1))
- The municipal mayors of all the municipalities of Camiguin, who elect from among themselves the Council’s Vice Chairperson. (Section 5(a)(2))
- A member of the Sangguniang Panlalawigan of Camiguin, duly designated by that body. (Section 5(a)(3))
- Two (2) representatives from the private sector, nominated by private sector tourism industry organizations in Camiguin and appointed by the Chairperson, serving for two (2) years. (Section 5(a)(4))
- The Council may create committees and define their functions and memberships to assist in performance of Council functions. (Section 5(a))
- The following serve as advisors to assist the Council:
- The Chief Operating Officer of the Tourism Infrastructure and Enterprise Zone Authority (TIEZA). (Section 5(b)(1))
- The Regional Director of the DOT for Region X. (Section 5(b)(2))
- The Regional Director of the DENR for Region X. (Section 5(b)(3))
- The Regional Director of the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) for Region X. (Section 5(b)(4))
- The Regional Director of the National Economic and Development Authority (NEDA) for Region X. (Section 5(b)(5))
- The Council shall provide sufficient opportunities for constituencies, sectors, and groups affected by tourism development to be heard, and shall pursue consultations, conduct research, and engage experts as needed. (Section 5(c))
- The Provincial Government of Camiguin shall provide a Secretariat for the Council, including necessary expenses for its official functions and activities. (Section 5(d))
- The Council’s functions shall be harmonized with the functions and responsibilities of the Protected Area Management Board (PAMB), protected area superintendents, and the regional ecotourism committee to avoid overlap or conflict. (Section 5(e))
Tourism Development Plan and protected areas
- Camiguin’s Tourism Development Plan shall be incorporated in the DOT’s overall National Tourism Development Plan (NTDP) pursuant to Republic Act No. 9593 (National Tourism Act of 2009) and shall be jointly implemented with the local government and the Camiguin Tourism Council. (Section 6)
- Implementation must take into consideration Republic Act No. 7586 (National Integrated Protected Areas System Act of 1992) and Republic Act No. 9072 (National Caves and Cave Resources Management and Protection Act). (Section 6)
- The DOT may offer technical assistance in development planning, training, and promotions. (Section 6)
- The concerned local government unit (LGU), in coordination with the DOT, TIEZA, and DENR, shall delineate well-defined geographic areas within the ecotourism sites and coordinate integrated development for optimum use of natural assets and existing facilities. (Section 6)
- The development plan shall ensure the preservation of ecological balance and natural beauty of the area. (Section 6)
- For protected areas in Camiguin, low impact tourism developments are allowed, including the construction of basic facilities and amenities such as comfort rooms, kiosks, and picnic areas. (Section 6)
- For protected areas, mass tourism, high impact activities, and construction of large infrastructure, including accommodation and games and amusement establishments, shall be implemented outside protected areas. (Section 6)
- The DPWH and the Department of Transportation and Communications (DOTC), including their attached agencies, in coordination with the DOT and the Council, shall prioritize construction and improvement of infrastructure necessary to support tourism development in Camiguin and incorporate these in their annual infrastructure programs. (Section 6)
Implementing rules timeline
- The Camiguin Tourism Council, after due consultation with the DOT, DENR, DPWH, DOTC, NEDA, and other stakeholders, shall promulgate the rules and regulations for proper implementation of the Act within sixty (60) days after effectivity. (Section 7(a))
- The Act shall take effect after sixty (60) days with or without the IRR. (Section 7(a))
Appropriations and investment planning
- The DOT, DENR, DPWH, DOTC, and LGU shall include implementation of the Act in their Annual Investment Program (AIP). (Section 8(a))
- Funding for implementation shall be included in the annual General Appropriations Act. (Section 8(a))
Repealing, separability, and amendment effect
- All laws, presidential decrees, executive orders, and issuances, proclamations, rules and regulations, and other issuances contrary to or inconsistent with Republic Act No. 10907 are deemed amended accordingly. (Section 9(a))
- If any provision of the Act is declared unconstitutional, the remaining provisions continue in full force and effect. (Section 10(a))