Batanes Responsible Tourism Act

Case Overview and Summary

Republic Act No. 10866 or the "Batanes Responsible Tourism Act"

Declaration of Policy (Section 2):
- Recognizes and protects the rights of indigenous cultural communities to preserve their cultures, traditions, and institutions.
- Promotes ecologically sustainable, responsible, participative, culturally sensitive, economically viable, and equitable tourism for local communities.
- Declares the Province of Batanes as a cultural heritage and ecotourism zone, subject to rules and regulations governing such zones.
- Promotes the integrity of Batanes' ecology and environment, richness of natural and cultural heritage, and resilience of indigenous social institutions.

Objectives (Section 3):
- Develop and promote responsible, community-based ecological-cultural tourism as the core strategy for Batanes' development and growth. (Section 3a)
- Ensure conservation of biodiversity and preservation of Batanes' unique heritage and culture. (Section 3b)
- Develop tourism products and programs that generate employment and livelihood for locals while preserving local heritage and culture. (Section 3c)
- Ensure equitable distribution of tourism industry's financial and economic benefits among Ivatans and locals, prioritizing community- and home-based tourism enterprises. (Section 3d)
- Ensure quality of local tourism programs and activities through educational and enriching orientation, tours, and programs by local operators, NGOs, LGUs, and DOT. (Section 3e)
- Guarantee that local residents' needs for water supply, food, energy, and construction materials are secured before tourism development. (Section 3f)

Definition of Terms (Section 4):
- Defines biodiversity conservation, community-based tourism, cultural property, ecotourism, homestay, indigenous social institutions, Ivatan natural and cultural heritage, landscapes, responsible ecotourism, and sustainable tourism development.

Scope and Coverage (Section 5):
- Covers the same boundaries as provided in Section 3 of Republic Act No. 8991 (Batanes Protected Area Act of 2000).

Provincial Tourism Development Plan (Section 6):
- DOT, DENR, NCIP, and NCCA to assist Batanes in formulating a Provincial Tourism Development Plan for responsible, community-based ecotourism.
- Plan to ensure preservation of natural sites, cultural and historic significance, and respect for Ivatan culture and traditions.
- Plan to include components such as carrying capacity of sites, site assessments, strategic priorities, product development for local income generation, capacity-building for locals, support for local production groups and networks, and marketing strategies.
- Plan development process to be participatory, from the bottom up, with framework provided by DOT, DENR, NCIP, and NCCA, in consultation with provincial and municipal governments.

Formulation of Guidelines and Standards (Section 7):
- DENR's Protected Area Management Board, NCIP, local tourism council, and LGUs to assist in formulating local tourism standards for environmental stability and biodiversity conservation.
- Guidelines to ensure best practices, optimal use of water and energy, waste and pollution reduction, and encouragement of local produce, services, and employment.

Coordination with National Agencies (Section 8):
- DOT to closely coordinate with provincial and municipal governments of Batanes, as well as regional and provincial offices of relevant national government agencies, in implementing the Act.

Implementing Rules and Regulations (Section 9):
- DOT, DENR, NCIP, and NCCA, in consultation with Batanes' provincial and municipal governments, concerned agencies, and stakeholders, to promulgate necessary rules and regulations within sixty (60) days from the Act's effectivity.

Separability Clause (Section 10)
Repealing Clause (Section 11)
Effectivity (Section 12):
- Act to take effect fifteen (15) days after publication in the Official Gazette or a newspaper of general circulation.