Manila Bulletin, September 9, 2019; 115 OG No. 41, 11297 (October 14, 2019)

[ REPUBLIC ACT NO. 11409, August 22, 2019 ]

AN ACT DECLARING PINSAL FALLS IN THE MUNICIPALITY OF SANTA MARIA, PROVINCE OF ILOCOS SUR A TOURIST DESTINATION PROVIDING FOR ITS DEVELOPMENT AND APPROPRIATING FUNDS THEREFOR

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

SECTION 1. The Pinsal Falls in the Municipality of Santa maria, Province of Ilocos Sur, is hereby declared a tourist destination. As such, its development shall be prioritized by the Department of Tourism (DOT) and shall be subject to the rules and regulations governing the development of tourist destinations.

SEC. 2. The technical descriptions of Pinsal Falls, being declared a tourist destination, are as follows:

Beginning at a point marked 1, being N 75 40'E, 7,071 meters from BLLM No. 1, Santa Maria Cadastre, Ilocos Sur to corner 1.

to the point of beginning, containing an area of seventy-five and 29/100 (75.29) hectares, more or less.

SEC. 3. Within one (1) year after the approval of this Act, the DOT, in coordination with the concerned local government units and agencies of the government, shall prepare a tourism development plan involving the construction, installation, and maintenance of appropriate infrastructure and facilities that shall encourage tourism in the area: Provided, That said development plan shall ensure the preservation and conservation of the natural beauty and resources of the area: Provided, further, That any activities and developments to be carried out in the area should conform with the concept of ecotourism as provided in the national ecotourism strategy jointly issued by the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) and the DOT.

SEC. 4. The DOT and its concerned attached agencies shall take immediate steps to implement the tourism development plan that will suit the natural characteristics of Pinsal Falls, and shall incorporate the same in its tourism development program for the ensuing calendar year. It shall also include Pinsal Falls in all its national, regional and local promotion programs.

SEC. 5. The Secretary of the DOT shall include in the Department's program the implementation of this Act, the funding of which shall be included in the annual General Appropriations Act and from internally generated funds of the DOT.SEC. 6. Within sixty (60) days from the effectivity of this Act, the Secretary of the DOT, in consultation with tie local government of Santa Maria, shall promulgate the necessary rules and regulations for the proper implementation of this Act.

SEC. 7. All laws, rules, regulations, proclamations, executive orders or parts thereof inconsistent with this Act are hereby amended accordingly.

SEC. 8. This Act shall take fifteen (15) days after its publication in the Official Gazette or in any newspaper of general circulation.

Approved,

This Act which originated in the House of Representatives was passed by the House of Representatives an Senate of the Philippines on June 4, 2019.

Approved: AUG 22 2019

(SGD.) RODRIGO ROA DUTERTE  President of the Philippines  

Source: Supreme Court E-Library