Davao Oriental as Tourism Development Area

May 17, 2013

REPUBLIC ACT NO. 10560

AN ACT DECLARING THE PROVINCE OF DAVAO ORIENTAL AS A TOURISM DEVELOPMENT AREA AND APPROPRIATING FUNDS THEREFOR

SECTION 1. Title. — This Act shall be known as "An Act Declaring the Province of Davao Oriental as a Tourism Development Area (TDA)".

SECTION 2. Declaration of Policy. — It is hereby declared the policy of the State to promote a tourism industry that is ecologically sustainable, responsible, participative, culturally sensitive, economically viable and equitable for local communities.

SECTION 3. Scope and Coverage. — The Tourism Development Areas in the Province of Davao Oriental hereby include, but not limited to, its municipalities endowed with natural beauty, small islands, waterfalls, beaches, sea and mountain resources, historical and natural landmarks, indigenous communities and other areas of interest to the tourism industry.

As such, it shall be accorded priority development by the Department of Tourism (DOT) and shall be subject to the rules and regulations governing tourism zones.

SECTION 4. Tourism Development Plan of Davao Oriental. — The Tourism Development Plan of the Province of Davao Oriental shall be incorporated in the DOT's overall National Tourism Development Plan (NTDP) pursuant to Republic Act No. 9593, otherwise known as the "National Tourism Act of 2009" and be jointly implemented with the local government and the Provincial Tourism Council of Davao Oriental taking into consideration Republic Act No. 7586, otherwise known as the "National Integrated Protected Areas System Act of 1992" and its implementing rules and regulations.

The DOT, in coordination with the Tourism Infrastructure and Enterprise Zone Authority (TIEZA) and other concerned agencies of the government, shall delineate well defined geographic areas within the TDA and coordinate the integrated development of these areas for the optimum use of natural assets and attractions, as well as existing facilities.

The Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH), in coordination with the DOT, shall set forth in place the necessary construction and/or improvement of roads and other infrastructure upon the promulgation of this Act and incorporate it in its infrastructure program.

SECTION 5. Appropriations. — The Secretary of the DOT and the Secretary of the DPWH shall include in their respective Department's program the implementation of this Act, the funding of which shall be included in the annual General Appropriations Act and/or charged against the internally generated funds of the DOT.

SECTION 6. Separability Clause. — Any provision of this Act or part hereof that may be declared unconstitutional shall not affect the effectivity of the other provisions. CIETDc

SECTION 7. Repealing Clause. — All laws, presidential decrees, executive orders, rules and regulations or parts thereof which are inconsistent with any of the provisions of this Act shall be deemed repealed or modified accordingly.

SECTION 8. Effectivity Clause. — This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after its complete publication in two (2) newspapers of general circulation.

Approved: May 17, 2013.

Published in The Philippine Star on May 27, 2013.