Creation of Philippine Tourist Bureau

June 5, 1951

REPUBLIC ACT NO. 624

AN ACT CREATING A PHILIPPINE TOURIST BUREAU AND APPROPRIATING FUNDS THEREFOR

SECTION 1. A Philippine Tourist Bureau is hereby created under the Department of Commerce and Industry. The Bureau shall be headed by a Director to be appointed by the President of the Philippines with the consent of the Commission on Appointments. Until otherwise fixed by law, the salary of the Director shall be seven thousand two hundred pesos per annum. The Director, with the approval of the Secretary of Commerce and Industry, shall appoint such officers and employees as may be necessary to carry out the provisions of this Act.

SECTION 2. The purpose of the Philippine Tourist Bureau shall be to encourage, develop and promote tourist travel to and within the Philippines.

SECTION 3. In order to carry out the purposes of this Act, the Philippine Tourist Bureau shall have authority:

a. To collect, publish and disseminate information with respect to places of interest, routes, transportation facilities, accommodations and other such matters for the purpose of encouraging, promoting or developing travel to and within the Philippines.

b. To prepare literature and graphic materials designed to call the attention of the scenic beauties and tourist attractions of the Philippines, including its culture, history, arts, resources, industries, commercial possibilities and progress.

c. To publicize the Philippines, and the Filipino people through the newspapers, magazines, radio and press wire service in order to arouse interest in, and attract tourists, to the Philippines.

d. To cooperate with private tourist or travel agencies and booking offices of transportation companies operating in the Philippines.

e. To perform such other functions and duties as may be necessary to carry out the purposes of this Act.

SECTION 4. The Secretary of Commerce and Industry is authorized to create an Advisory Committee to consist of a representative from each of the Department of Justice and Finance, Civil Aeronautics Administration and the Manila Railroad Company, as may be designated by such departments or agencies, and a representative each from the Chamber of Commerce of the Philippines, hotel, airline and shipping firms and private travel agencies, not to exceed five members, to be appointed by the said Secretary. The Director of Tourist Bureau shall be ex officio member of the said Committee. Meetings of the Committee shall be held at the request of the Secretary of Commerce and Industry for the purpose of making recommendations concerning the promotion of tourist travel under the provisions of this Act. The members, shall receive no compensation for their services as members, but shall be entitled to reimbursement for such necessary travel and other expenses not exceeding twenty-five pesos in connection with their attendance at Committee meetings as may be authorized or approved by the Secretary.

SECTION 5. The Director of the Philippine Tourist Bureau is authorized to enter into contracts with private publishers for such printing and binding as he may deem advisable in carrying out the purposes of this Act. He is also authorized to make charges for any publications made available to the public pursuant to this Act, and any proceeds from the sale of publications produced shall continue to be available for printing and binding as aforesaid.

SECTION 6. There is hereby authorized to be appropriated the sum of one hundred fifty thousand pesos out of any funds of the National Treasury not otherwise appropriated to carry out the provisions of this Act. The Philippine Tourist Bureau, however, is hereby authorized to solicit and accept contributions from private entities and individuals, in order to secure additional funds for its activities, and such contributions shall be deducted by the Bureau of Internal Revenue from the income tax returns of the contributors.

SECTION 7. This Act shall take effect upon its approval.

Approved: June 5, 1951

Published in the Official Gazette, Vol. 47, No. 6, p. 2835 in June 1951